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Glass (e. 

Book » A t- V JM 

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




Rev. Joseph Brown 



Sabbath-School 
Missions in Wisconsin 



A record of fifteen years of Sabbath- 
School Mission Work done in Wis- 
consin, in which the needs and the 
triumphs of the work are made known 



By 
REV. JOSEPH BROWN 

Synodic a I Sabbath-School Missionary for Wisconsin 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 



PHILADELPHIA 

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION 

AND SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK 

1904 



<? fc 



LIB»*crv »r ftON$RFSS 

TVfO Nonius Received 

SEP 14 1904 

^neuyrteht Entry 
CLASS £1 XXe. No. 
' COPY B ' 



Copyright, 1904, by the Trustees of 
The Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work. 






t 




Thomas W. Synnott 



To 

My Friend and Brother, 

THOMAS IV. SYNNOTT, 

of 
Wenonah, New Jersey, 

in grateful recognition of 

his words of encouragement and faithful support 

during the past fifteen years, 

this volume 

is respectfully dedicated 



preface 



During the past fifteen years it has been my 
pleasant privilege to address many of our churches 
in the East and West and present the claims of our 
great Presbyterian Sabbath-School missionary work. 
Frequently, in making arrangements for these serv- 
ices, pastors have said to me : " What will be the 
character of your address ? " and my response has 
usually been : " Word pictures of the things I have 
seen and heard on the Sabbath-School mission field 
of Wisconsin." 

And this is the purpose I have had in view in the 
preparation of this book : to make it a collection of 
pictures of actual Sabbath-School mission work 
performed along these years and in the order in 
which it was done. This I have attempted with the 
hope and prayer that a perusal of these pages will 
impart knowledge, and produce impressions for 
good, in behalf of this great work which is so vital 
to the future welfare of our beloved Church. 

Joseph Brown. 

Marshfield, Wisconsin, 
January i, 1904. 



flntroJmctor? 



This book is a story of actual work and experi- 
ence. Its author, Rev. Joseph Brown, is one of our 
most capable and faithful Sabbath-School mission- 
aries. He is a native of Scotland, where he was an 
honored elder for many years. He is an illustration 
of the fact that God, in these times, is calling to 
specific methods of work consecrated men of busi- 
ness. In the fifteen years in which he has been 
toiling in Wisconsin he has commended himself not 
only to our Board of Publication and Sabbath- 
School Work, but to the Presbyteries, the Synod, 
and the members of our Church in that great 
State. 

This book makes no pretensions to literary merit, 
but I know of no narrative which, in so brief a 
form, sets forth the exact condition of the unevan- 
gelized neighborhoods, and of how best to reach 
them. 

I commend it with an earnest prayer to liberal 
men and women, and to the churches and Sabbath- 
Schools which generously support this effort of the 
Presbyterian Church to reach and win for Christ the 
neglected millions of youth in this land. 

vii 



Vlll INTRODUCTORY 

Few will read its pages who will not be deeply- 
touched, and hear again the proofs of 

The Divine Vocation. 
God's voice is calling to this specific form of 
evangelization. The needs of our country are so 
many Divine calls. In this land to-day are twelve 
millions of children and youth yet unreached by 
Sabbath-Schools. This means that only one-half 
of the school population of these United States are 
in Sabbath-Schools, and, presumably, the other 
one-half are, most of them, without moral or re- 
ligious instruction. This is the fact after one hun- 
dred years of such Christian effort in behalf of the 
young as the world has never seen in nineteen 
Christian centuries. 

Where are These Unreached Millions of 
Youth ? 

They are not only the colored children of the 
South — though these are peculiar in their destitu- 
tion ; they are not only on our Western frontiers — 
" far out upon the prairies " ; these " heathen are at 
our doors." More than five millions of them are in 
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, and Michigan. There is scarcely a dis- 
trict or parish surrounding a Presbyterian church or 
Sabbath-School which has not a proportion of these 
home heathen. It will be remembered that we are 



INTRODUCTORY IX 

aiming to gather in not merely the little children 
between the ages of five and ten, but we are aiming 
to reach the young people between the ages of 
twelve and twenty-one. 

It is scarcely necessary for me to say that this 
estimate of the situation and of the facts concerning 
the need of Sabbath-School missionary work in 
every church and parish is coincided in by every 
pastor, Sabbath-School worker, and active Christian 
of whom I have knowledge. Indeed, these facts are 
incontrovertible. 

Advantages of Sabbath-School Missionary 
Work as a Method of Evangelization. 
If we are to " go after the masses " in order to 
reach them, in what manner are we to go after them 
with such assurance of success and of the Divine 
approval, as when we go out into the highways and 
hedges and by our love and sympathy compel chil- 
dren and youth to come into God's house and be 
taught the word of Christ? Is there any other 
method of evangelization so economical, utilizing 
Christian forces now lying latent in every church ? 
Is there any method so adapted to disarm opposi- 
tion on the part of non-church goers and the non- 
Christians ? Who needs to be told that the best 
method of reaching parents is first to win their chil- 
dren ? Is it not almost a truism, patent to every 
one, that the most hopeful way of saving America 
for Christ is to save the children ? 



X INTRODUCTORY 

From all portions of our country I am daily re- 
ceiving letters urging a concerted effort in behalf of 
" these little ones " and the young people. 

I cannot close this brief introductory word better 
than to quote the language of the Rev. Dr. Howard 
Crosby, of blessed memory, which he used with ref- 
erence to the Sabbath-School Missionary Depart- 
ment, and which words were unanimously approved 
by the General Assembly : — 

" The direct missionary work of the Board [of 
Publication and Sabbath-School Work] is largely 
that of a forerunner to the work of the Board of 
Home Missions. It can occupy a field newly 
opened before the home missionary can reach it. 
It collects materials and starts a life to which the 
home missionary comes afterwards. It plants the 
school, which the home missionary converts into a 
church. It visits a settlement before the houses are 
roofed in, and gathers the children to receive reli- 
gious instruction — it may be under a tree or in a 
barn. It seeks to sanctify a community at its birth, 
and so prepare the way for larger spiritual applica- 
tions. The work is laborious and full of vicissitude, 
requiring faith and zeal and tact that are not ex- 
tensively found. The self-denying Sabbath-School 
missionary meets with every variety of experience. 
He pushes on under the burning heat of summer 
and the biting cold of winter. He puts up with a 
rough diet and rougher lodgment. He faces objec- 
tions, indifference, rudeness, and open opposition. 



INTRODUCTORY XI 

He is satisfied with a meager salary, and finds his 
reward in a good conscience and the knowledge 
that he is working in the front for his Lord and 
Saviour. With all the disadvantages that he meets 
he founds the school, he establishes its system, he 
appoints its officers, he instructs them in its manner 
of conduct, and, having fairly constructed and 
launched the new enterprise with earnest prayer, he 
proceeds to the next station to repeat the useful 
work there. These are the noble men and this the 
noble work which our Board has been faithfully and 
efficiently sustaining, and the results have been such 
as to awaken our loftiest gratitude to God." 

The following is a summary of the results of Mr. 
Brown's work during the fifteen years of his service 
as a Sabbath-School missionary : 

Sabbath-Schools organized 9 1 

Sabbath-Schools reorganized 36 

Number of teachers in the schools 375 

Number of scholars in the schools 3>°54 

Pages of tracts distributed 593,834 

Number of volumes distributed . . 5,731 

Number of Bibles distributed • • 1,431 

Sabbath-Schools visited 1.083 

Addresses delivered 3>9°9 

Families visited 9,476 

Miles traversed 256,916 

Total number of churches developed from the work 

since 1887 47 

Presbyterian churches organized 44 

Chapels built 44 

Value of chapel and church property #15,000.00 

In order that the reader may have a comprehen- 
sive view of Sabbath-School missions as carried on 



Xll INTRODUCTORY 

by the Presbyterian Church, it would be necessary 
to multiply the experiences and results of Mr. 
Brown's work in Wisconsin by fifty, if the imagi- 
nation can perform such a feat. 

The example of Mr. T. W. Synnott in sending 
his representative into the high places of the field 
may well be imitated by many of God's princely 
stewards. While he has been engaged in the great 
enterprises of business, to which he has been provi- 
dentially called, Mr. Synnott's representative has 
been carrying the gospel, in its purest and simplest 
form, to thousands ; and has been transforming the 
great State of Wisconsin by building up churches 
and the Kingdom of Christ. The consciousness of 
being represented on " the firing line " is in itself 
precious. 

The prayers of all of God's people are requested 
for this pioneer and Christlike work. 

James A. Worden. 





Contents 






I. 


Beginnings 




i 


II. 


Developments .... 




8 


III. 


"The Common People Heard 


Him 






Gladly " 




17 


IV. 


Encouragements .... 




28 


V. 


Wide-Spread Interest . 




38 


VI. 


Gather Them In . 




54 


VII. 


From Place to Place . 




67 


VIII. 


After Ten Years .... 




88 


IX. 


In City and Country . 




"5 


X. 


" Come Over and Help Us " . 




121 


XI. 


Ripening Fields .... 




*33 


XII. 


Touring with the Superintendent 






Viewing the Results . 




J 43 


XIII. 


Retrospect 




154 



Xlll 



Xist of llllustratlons 



Photograph 






Facing title 


page 


Photograph . 


Facing dedication 


page 


Waiting for the Sabbath-School 


Mis- 








sionary . 




Facing page 4 


Kelly Presbyterian Chapel 




k 


ft 


10 


Open-air Sabbath-School Institute 




<t 


ft 


19 


Harper Memorial Chapel 




ft 


tt 


29 


Valley Sabbath-School 




tt 


" 


33 


Dell's Dam Chapel . 






ft 


(( 


40 


Prince of Peace Chapel 






tt 


tt 


7*' 


Ribb Hill Schoolhouse 






tf 


tf 


81 


Deerfield Chapel 






tf 


ft 


98 


Lansdowne Chapel 






ft 


tf 


117 


Dekorra Chapel 






tt 


tt 


123 


Sabbath-School Institute 






ft 


ft 


133 


Sabbath-School Institute at Owen' 


5 Glen 


€t 


tf 


135 


Ribb Hill . 




ft 


tf 


140 


Institute at Dekorra with our Si 


iperin- 








tendent on the Platform 




ft 


tt 


H3 


A Blossom of Sabbath-School N 


lission 








Work 






tf 


tf 


158 



XV 



CHAPTER I 

BEGINNINGS 

Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not : for 
of such is the kingdom of God. — Luke 18 ; 16. 

I. How Sabbath-School Mission Work Is 
Done. 

II. One Day's Work for Jesus. 



I. HOW SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSION WORK IS DONE. 

The following request has been addressed to me : 
" Will you state particulars as to the manner in 
which you seek to do your work as a Sabbath- 
School missionary ? " It is a privilege to give the 
desired information. 

I select a district of the county within my bounds. 
With my bag filled with books, tracts, and papers, 
and with umbrella in hand, I set out for the duties 
of the day. If my work lies in a district in which 
there is a settled minister, I generally walk two 
miles away from his field of labor. This I do that 
I may not work on ground in charge of another. 
By so doing I have never had unpleasant relations 
with any one. 

Having reached what I regard as a proper field, I 

I 



2 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

begin my work by calling at the different houses 
along my way. The amount of time spent in these 
houses varies, as I am regulated by the character of 
the reception given and by the prospect of doing 
good. In visiting a district for the first time, the 
people are strangers to me, and I have to introduce 
my way among them as best I can. In such case 
my work is, in fact, both a tour of discovery and 
a species of fishing. I go among the people to do 
them good, and in order to accomplish this pru- 
dence and tact are needed. As I step into the 
various homes, and they are various in many re- 
spects, I tell the occupants who I am and what is 
the purpose of my visit, and as I do so I generally 
extend a cheerful greeting, wishing them, in the 
most pleasant manner possible, a good-morning. 
This cheerful greeting seems, in most cases, to take 
the people by storm. This I judge from the cordial 
receptions generally accorded to me. After having 
been invited to come in and sit down, and having 
accepted, my talk begins and is carried on accord- 
ing to circumstances. 

In every district there are some families more in 
sympathy with good than others. To find out such 
families is a matter of great importance to me in 
the prosecution of my work. Having found such, 
they become the objects of special attention. Con- 
versation is held with them as to the needs of the 
people in relation to Sabbath- School work. After 
I have obtained the necessary information, and 



BEGINNINGS 3 

have excited some interest in the minds of those 
with whom I have conversed, generally a place and 
time are fixed for holding a meeting, and arrange- 
ments are made for conducting the service. At 
this meeting the importance of Sabbath-School 
work is pointed out in the most forcible manner 
possible, and at its close the judgment of those 
present is sought as to the propriety of establishing 
a school. 

When an organization has been decided upon, 
which is generally the case, the different officers are 
selected by the people present and all necessary 
arrangements are made. Before all this can be 
perfected, however, it must be preceded by many 
long walks and frequent visitations. Success 
assured, a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction fills 
the mind of the Sabbath-School missionary. 

When Sabbath-Schools are planted, are they left 
to themselves without the planter's care? Nay, 
verily. They are fostered by prayer, by sympathy, 
by revisitation, and by many helps, as each case 
may require and as means and opportunity are 
afforded. The Sabbath-School missionary has a 
love for the schools he plants ; and the people, know- 
ing this and knowing where he lives, are ever ready 
to let him know when help is needed. Such help 
is frequently asked for, and the missionary, with the 
means placed at his disposal by the Board, and by 
books and papers received from the friends of Sab- 
bath-School missions, is always able to extend it. 



4 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

If wise and faithful, he so directs his gifts and labors 
as to nurture the good work begun. By use of the 
varied means at the disposal of the Sabbath -School 
missionary, a grand work is being done for Christ 
and the people. 

By this Sabbath-School mission agency the Pres- 
byterian Church has an instrument in her grasp by 
which the numerous and widespread settlers can be 
reached and evangelized. This attained, a moral 
and spiritual result will be reached that will bring 
honor to God and stability and prosperity to our 
beloved land. 

II. ONE DAY'S WORK FOR JESUS. 

One morning in August, 1889, I left the town of 
Phillips to visit what is called the Parker District, a 
few miles out in the country, among the woods. In 
less than an hour, after a pleasant and thoughtful 
walk, I reach my field of work. Before me stands 
the white schoolhouse, with a number of farm- 
houses, in a circle of a mile or so. 

Visit No. 1. — A German family consisting of the 
parents and three children. I had a talk with the 
mother, who is in sympathy with all good work. 
This family belong to the German Lutheran Church, 
and are expecting a pastor soon to be placed in 
charge of the Germans of this district. I left them 
something to read. 

Visit No. 2. — An American family, consisting of 
the parents and five children. The mother was 



BEGINNINGS 5 

much interested in what I had to say of Sabbath- 
School work. She longs to have such work here. I 
left lesson leaves for her family, all of which were 
thankfully received. 

Visit No. 3. — Another American family consist- 
ing of the parents and two children. The mother 
longs for and would be very much pleased to have 
a Sabbath-School. They feel the want of religious 
service, having had such before they came to this 
place five years ago. Again I left lesson papers 
and tracts. 

Visit No. 4. — A German family ; parents old and 
children grown up. They were not able to speak 
English very well. The mother told me she had a 
married daughter at home, sick, from Albany, New 
York. As I expressed a willingness to see her, she 
took me to her room, which was near by the one I 
was in. The homes here in many cases are small. 
The sick woman received me with grateful expres- 
sions. She seemed to be far gone in consumption, 
and to human appearance had but a short time to 
live. I spoke to her only of matters in keeping 
with her sick condition, and asked permission to 
engage with her in prayer, which request was readily 
granted. This duty performed, I spoke a few part- 
ing words to the dying woman, and left some read- 
ing material with the aged mother, and bade them 
good-bye. I noticed the silent " tear-drops " on the 
pale face of the sick daughter as I turned with feel- 
ings of the deepest sympathy, and came away. 



6 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Visits Nos. 5 and 6 do not call for special notice, 
as they were of a kind which may be called com- 
mon. The families were German, and I gave them 
German lesson papers. 

Visit No. J. — I called at the schoolhouse, and see- 
ing the door open I thought I would like to peep in 
and see the teacher and her charge. After tapping 
at the door, I was ushered into the school by the 
teacher, a young lady of pleasant manners. She 
was pleased to have a visit from me, and was glad 
to take thirteen lesson papers to give to each of the 
scholars when they went home. I spoke a few 
words of encouragement to her and the children, 
after which I bade them good-bye. 

Visit No. 8. — After a walk of half a mile I found 
another American family. I was cordially received. 
The mother said she would be pleased to have a 
Sabbath-School for the children. I left much read- 
ing there, as I thought it would do good and be ap- 
preciated. 

Visit No. g. — An old German man, who could 
not speak to me. I gave him a German lesson leaf, 
for which he seemed grateful. After leaving this 
home and entering the dense and quiet woods, there, 
right before me, stood a deer with two young ones 
beside her. They looked quietly at me for awhile, 
and I did the same at them, as I was pleased to see 
such beautiful creatures. As I neared them they 
dashed into the woods and were soon lost to view. 

Visit No. io. — Two American families, equally 



BEGINNINGS 7 

ready to have Sabbath-School as soon as possible. 
To both families I gave lesson leaves. 

Visits ii and 12. — Both families were German 
and belonged to the German Lutheran Church. I 
had pleasant talks with them both, gave them tracts 
to read, and expressed pleasure at hearing that they 
valued the services of the church, and entertained 
friendly feeling for them. Thinking that a Sab- 
bath-School would be formed among the American 
families, I tried to see the clerk of the school board. 
In this I failed, as he was away from home, but his wife 
thought there was no doubt of getting his approval. 
I will take the earliest opportunity of having a meet- 
ing and talking the matter over. Sabbath day is 
the only time suitable at this season of the year. 
The seed has been sown ; may it be blessed of God ! 



CHAPTER II 
DEVELOPMENTS 

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when 
thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, 
when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. — Deut. n : ig. 

I. " My Boys are Growing up and They are 

not Turning Out Well." 
II. The First Sabbath-School Mission Chapel 
Built July, 1890. 

III. " A Photograph of Sabbath-School Mis- 

sion Work." 

IV. " We Cannot but Speak of the Things 

We Have Seen and Heard." 



I. " MY BOYS ARE GROWING UP AND THEY ARE NOT 
TURNING OUT WELL." 

The following touching and suggestive incident 
occurred on this wise : It was on a Saturday, in the 
month of December ; the ground was covered with 
snow to the depth of four inches. At 10 A. m. I 
stopped at a small town called Unity. From that 
place I started to walk directly east into the country 
to the Allen settlement, a distance of four miles. 
As I walked along I met a farmer and I greeted 
8 



DEVELOPMENTS 9 

him with a cheerful " Good-morning, my friend." 
He kindly returned the salutation and a conversa- 
tion was begun. I told him who I was and the pur- 
pose of my coming — to visit the Allen Sabbath- 
School and also to hold service. He replied, " I 
was at the Sabbath-School last Sabbath, and, if 
spared, I will be there to-morrow." Then, looking 
at me very earnestly in the face, he said, " Friend, 
why did not you or some one else come out years 
ago and start Sabbath-Schools in these settlements ? 
My home is three and a half miles farther out than 
the Allen's settlement, and I have lived twelve years 
there destitute of all means of grace, and my boys 
are growing up and they are not turning out well." 
As he spoke tears dropped from his cheek. Such 
grief was to me a sure indication that behind these 
tears there was a sad story, for the men of Wiscon- 
sin are by no means soft-hearted. When I reached 
the Allen settlement I made inquiries as to the 
" boys " and found that one of them was in Wapun 
prison. On learning this I therefore was better 
able to grasp the eloquence of the father's tears. 
Since then another of his " boys " has come under 
the meshes of the law, charged with its violation. 
In this incident stand revealed similar conditions 
that can be counted by the hundreds all over this 
State ; and they will remain until such time as the 
Sabbath-School missionary finds them out, and 
helps them to help themselves by the fourfold means 
at his disposal, viz. : Organization of Sabbath- 



IO SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Schools ; house-to-house visitation ; distribution of 
Bibles, books, and tracts ; and frequent revisitation 
and evangelistic services. 

By these applied means of grace, accompanied 
with the blessing of God, these moral deserts are 
being transformed and made beautiful with the 
flowers of virtue. 

II. THE FIRST SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSION CHAPEL 
BUILT JULY, I89O. 

Sabbath last was a day to be remembered by the 
people living in the McGregor District. On that 
day the McGregor Sabbath-School Mission of the 
Presbyterian Church was duly opened and dedi- 
cated. The services of the day were three in num- 
ber, all of which were numerously attended and 
much appreciated. They were conducted by myself, 
assisted by Rev. Mr. Child, of Plainfield. The ob- 
jects aimed at by the erection of this chapel are to 
provide suitable accommodation for the Sabbath- 
School of the district, which for several years past 
has been held in the grove, and to afford means of 
frequent services to meet the spiritual wants of the 
people. The building is the property of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and will always be open to the 
preachers of the Congregational, Baptist, and Meth- 
odist churches. Wenonah, New Jersey, Sabbath- 
School gave the handsome sum of $140.00 to help 
in its erection. The Ladies' Missionary Society of 
the Central Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia 



r 




DEVELOPMENTS I I 

gave $33.00 to build a chimney and put in a 
stove in order to heat the church. All honor to 
them ! 

III. " A PHOTOGRAPH OF SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSION 
WORK." 

September i8t/i, 18 go. — I rode sixteen miles on 
the stage, over a rough road, to Maple Works, in 
Clark County. The time was 3 o'clock p. m. The 
day was warm and sultry. The clouds began gath- 
ering in a threatening manner, indicating the ap- 
proach of a thunderstorm. I had a walk of nine 
miles before me in order to reach the interior of the 
country. As is my custom, I made calls on the dif- 
ferent families as I passed along, and left with each 
some suitable reading for young and old. I had 
walked two-thirds of the way when the thunder- 
storm came on in all its fury. Hail and rain came 
down in torrents. I took shelter in the first house 
I came to. Darkness came on, the rain continued, 
the lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled. What 
was I to do for lodging ? I could not stop where I 
was, for the good reason that there were no suitable 
accommodations. 

I faced the storm and went forward to a house a 
mile farther on, where I felt sure the inmates would 
kindly lodge me for the night. In this I was not 
disappointed. It was a humble home, but I was 
entertained right royally. The good people had 
loving hearts, and did their best to make me com- 



12 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

fortable. The Lord will reward them for all their 
kindness to his servant. 

Friday, September igth. — The rain was still fall- 
ing, and the roads deep in mud and water. I must 
go forward to Spokeville, five miles distant. The 
road lay through a forest, and was only partially 
made, and consequently I found the mud and water 
ankle deep. Rolling up my pantaloons, I waded 
through, and at last reached my destination, wet 
and soiled with mud. But the soldiers of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, in the nineteenth century, must be 
brave and hardy, as they were in the days of old. 
What are mud and water compared with the ex- 
perience of Christian workers of the past, of whom it 
is written in Hebrews 1 1 : 37 : " They were stoned, 
they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain 
with the sword : they wandered about in sheep- 
skins and goatskins ; being destitute, afflicted, tor- 
mented." 

Having reached Spokeville, I began my work of 
house-to-house visitation, and found the people de- 
sirous of having a Sabbath-School. At present 
they have no means of grace among them. I ar- 
ranged to hold a meeting with them on Sabbath 
afternoon. On Friday and Saturday nights I held 
services in another schoolhouse four miles distant. 

Sabbath, September 21st. — I held a meeting at 3 
o'clock p. m. in Spokeville schoolhouse, which was 
filled to the door. I had a short service, then an 
address on the benefits of Sabbath-Schools as a 



DEVELOPMENTS 1 3 

means of grace for all. At the close a Sabbath- 
School was organized, officers elected, lesson papers 
given, and arrangements made to meet the next 
Sabbath at 3 p. m. Thus it is that the work is be- 
gun, so full of important results to children and 
parents. I left the people, promising them all the 
aid I can give. The people feel drawn to the mis- 
sionary ; the missionary to the people. They are 
not now strangers, but friends. All hardships are 
forgotten in the success that has attended this work 
for Jesus. 

IV. " WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK OF THE THINGS WE 
HAVE SEEN AND HEARD." 

May 28th, 1891. — " We cannot but speak of the 
things we have seen and heard." This day we en- 
tered a new and needy field in the southern part of 
Clark County, called Dell's Dam. This district is 
as far as settlers have yet gone. I reached the dis- 
trict early in the afternoon, went straight to the 
little scJioolJiouse, had an interview with the teacher, 
and arranged to have a meeting in the evening, and 
gave notice of the same to the children to take 
home to their fathers and mothers. 

Having gained information as to the locations of 
the different settlers, I set out to visit them. Par- 
ticular and kindly visitation is a first and essential 
element of successful Sabbath-School mission work. 
A visit from a Christian worker here is like 
11 angels' visits," few and far between. This after- 



14 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

noon I managed to visit eight of these families, all 
of whom received me " joyfully." In each family I 
spoke kindly and hopefully, gave some reading ma- 
terial, and urged all to come to the meeting. This 
they promised to do, and they were true to their 
promise, for at eight o'clock the schoolhouse, 
lighted up with four " lamps " brought by the peo- 
ple, was filled. We had a short service, to which 
the people gave heed. I spoke on the Saviour's 
words in Matthew 6 and 33, and sought to show the 
need of religion as an element in every life, from 
childhood onward. A Sabbath-School was organ- 
ized under the care of two of the best adapted to 
the work to be found among the people. One of 
them was a member of a church at Neillsville. All 
seemed pleased at the result, and so was I. I 
promised to help them all I could, and urged them 
to help themselves. Everywhere I go planting Sab- 
bath-Schools the anxious question is always put : 
" How long will it be before you come again to visit 
ms and have meetings ? " What is needed is more 
frequent service, whereby instruction and inspiration 
are given through the agency of the Word preached. 
The Word of God is the seed which requires to be 
sown in order to produce a crop of Christians. 

May 29th, Friday. — I was up early, as usual. 
Bidding the people " good-bye," I set out to con- 
tinue the work of visitation and exploration. This 
last named is very necessary, as so much needs to be 
known in relation to the spiritual condition of each 



DEVELOPMENTS 1 5 

district. In my survey to-day, I located another 
district in which I shall concentrate effort for good. 
The people are desirous of Christian work. I vis- 
ited twelve families and two public schools during 
the day, and arranged for service this evening in the 
Canfield schoolhouse, another needy district. There 
was a large attendance, and a deep impression made 
as to the need of a Sabbath-School for the district. 
The meeting voted to organize a Sabbath- School. 
Final arrangements were deferred, owing to diffi- 
culty in finding suitable superintendents. Another 
meeting will be held in two weeks, when it is hoped 
the difficulty will be overcome. Here, as else- 
where, the fields are white unto harvest. Great and 
far-reaching evil is being done in all such places on 
account of the want of Christian agency to direct 
and mould human life. This condition of things 
can only be changed by help from without, and 
that forms the grandeur of our Sabbath-School 
mission work. 

May joth, Saturday. — I set out in the early 
morning for the Shortville settlement, with the in- 
tention of spending Saturday and Sabbath there. 
A flourishing Sabbath-School is carried on here, 
attended by old and young. I found the people 
thirsting for frequent preaching service. I held two 
services on the Sabbath, in addition to the Sabbath- 
School service. All three were well attended, the 
town hall being filled each time. 

The simple " Gospel of Christ " is what is needed 



1 6 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

to brighten and sweeten the lives and homes of all 
these people. In all our visitations and meetings it 
is delightful to see the joy imparted to children, 
young people, and parents. As a help to the work 
being done, I have sent two libraries to two of 
these Sabbath-Schools. This I was enabled to do 
by gifts from Sabbath-Schools and churches in 
Philadelphia and vicinity. 

This is the record of five days' work done by a 
Sabbath-School missionary, and is given here in 
order that a proper estimate of the value of the work 
may be formed, that your love for it may be deep- 
ened, and out of love you may be willing to swell 
yet higher your gifts in aid of this Christlike work. 
In your joyful Children's Day services, will you not 
crown the services by showing in a worthy form 
how deep your " compassion " is for these •' millions 
of children " who have no Sabbath-Schools ? 



CHAPTER III 

-THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM 
GLADLY." 

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue 

Luke 7 .• j. 

I. " They all sat Down on the Green 

Grass." 
II. " Come and See." 

III. " Despise not the Day of Small Things." 

IV. From House to House. 

V. " Sheep Having no Shepherd." 
VI. " Without God and Without Hope." 
VII. A Sabbath-School Institute in the 
Forest. 



1. " THEY ALL SAT DOWN ON THE GREEN GRASS. 

August jt/i, i8gi. — I went into the Dudley Dis- 
trict, and spent three days in Sabbath-School mis- 
sion work. Visited and encouraged the three Sab- 
bath-Schools there. I held two meetings, the last 
one was crowded, many persons coming four, five 
and six miles. These meetings are means of great 
good, the people, without a " shepherd, being 
wearied and lying down." Here another mission 
Sabbath-School chapel is about to be built. I met 

17 



1 8 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

the members of the building committee, and made 
arrangements to proceed at once. The people of 
the district have responded nobly to the building 
of a house for God. They want it finished in time 
to be dedicated by a delegation from the Winnebago 
Presbytery, which meets on the 8th of September, 
at Merrill, fifteen miles away. The chapel, when 
finished, will be deeded to the trustees of one of the 
Presbyterian churches of Merrill, to be held for the 
people of the district. 

On Saturday, the 8th of August, I made my way 
from Wausau to the Hartsville District, twelve 
miles east. I was accompanied by Mr. Armstrong, 
one of our student missionaries, our purpose being 
to hold a series of meetings in the new Sabbath- 
School mission chapel, preparatory to its dedication 
by the Rev. W. O. Carrier, of Wausau. Although 
the weather was hot, the three meetings held on 
the Sabbath, in addition to the Sabbath-School 
service, were well attended. The scattered families 
came together with joy to these services in the new 
chapel, the first in the district. 

Monday was the day of dedication — the greatest 
ever enjoyed in that district. Rev. W. O. Carrier 
came from Wausau, bringing a number of his peo- 
ple to help in the exercises of the day. These began 
a little after eleven o'clock, and were conducted by 
Mr. Carrier, who preached a telling sermon on the 
conversion of Zaccheus. The people of the district 
were out in great numbers. At the close of the 



"THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY 1 9 

forenoon service a scene took place which will be 
long remembered by all present. A basket-lunch 
was provided by the people, and was partaken of in 
a grove opposite the chapel, right across the Eau 
Claire River. Four wagons were used to convey 
the people over the beautiful stream. This was 
done in style by the brave men of these forest 
homes, amidst much laughter and excitement on 
the part of the people, who were jolted from side 
to side as they crossed over. All were conveyed 
safely over to a beautiful and shady part of the 
forest, where " they sat down on the green grass," 
and partook of a plenteous repast. They had all 
things in common. Such a scene reminded one of 
the early Christian times. It was grand ! 

After two o'clock, the company was moved over 
the river again, and another meeting was held. At 
this meeting the chapel was dedicated to God by 
Mr. Carrier, assisted by Mr. Joseph Brown and Mr. 
Armstrong, Sabbath-School missionaries. At this 
service baptism was administered to twelve persons 
— six adults and six children. 

The chapel thus erected and dedicated was the 
fruit of Sabbath- School mission work by the Presby- 
terian Church, and fostered by the pastor and 
church of Wausau. All honor to them ! The 
building is twenty feet by thirty feet, has a porch 
in front, and contains one hundred and eight 
chairs ; it also has a platform and desk, and is com- 
plete in every way. It is neat in appearance, and 



20 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

will, by the blessing of God, be a means of blessing 
to the people. The total cost, $350.00, was paid for 
by the people, assisted by the Presbyterian church 
of Wausau and other friends of Sabbath-School 
mission work. The services closed for the day at 
5 p. m. 

Thus ended an event which will ever be sacred 
in the memory of all who were present. The Rev. 
Mr. Carrier said it was one of the happiest days of 
his life. The blessing of God was present at all the 
services, and truly every one could say : " It was 
good for me to be there." 

II. " COME AND SEE." 

April 5th, 1892. — The question is often put 
" What good is coming out of our Sabbath-School 
Missionary Work ? " We answer, " Come and see." 
Come with us to Norrie, Wisconsin, and see what 
is being done there. It is a village, amongst 
stumps, with a population of about two hundred. 
There is a Presbyterian Sabbath-School under our 
care, which, superintended by Mrs. Wilson, has been 
doing good work these two years past. Three 
months ago a Congregational Church, of twenty-five 
members, was formed and placed under the care 
of the pastor of the church at Burnamwood, a 
town five miles distant. 

This development was the result of circumstances. 
" What God has joined together let no man put 
asunder." It is neither possible nor desirable to 



"THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY " 21 

make God's working conform to man's planning. 
The result is that the people now have the Chris- 
tian agency of the Presbyterian Sabbath-School 
and the Congregational Church combined in action. 
Two weeks ago a Young People's Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor was formed, with a membership of 
over thirty. The villagers of Norrie are now 
planning to build a house of God to place beside 
the little schoolhouse on the hill — a church and a 
school, religion and education, twin forces in 
America's civilization. It is the law of progress, 
that " God helps those who help themselves to get 
good." Success in this case will be achieved in 
the near future. 

III. " DESPISE NOT THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS." 

Again we say to all, " Come and see." Come with 
us to Shortville, a farming district in Clark County, 
nine miles from Neillsville. Three years ago a 
Sabbath-School was organized under the auspices 
of our Presbyterian Board of Publication and 
Sabbath-School Work. During the past three 
years it has been carefully fostered by frequent 
visits and services by us, in conjunction with the 
Presbyterian pastor of the church of Neillsville. 
The school has been blessed by a faithful and able 
superintendent, aided by willing workers. After a 
series of six services, a petition was presented and 
signed by thirty persons, asking the Presbytery of 
La Crosse to form tJiem into a church. Arrange- 



22 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

ments were also made during the meeting to carry 
on the summer session of the Sabbath-School with 
new and increased life. We were informed that 
some of the young people would go to the Canfield 
settlement and help the Sabbath-School there. 
Thus the Lord has fulfilled his promise and 
gladdened our hearts with the blessing which has 
come to this people. It may with truth be said, 
" There was joy in Shortville ! " The lives of the 
people are gradually changing, becoming more 
Christian in every way. 

Thus God's kingdom is being advanced in the 
rural districts of our country. This fact ought to 
be a stimulus to all interested in Sabbath-School 
mission work. 



A Presbyterian church has since been formed. 
The people now have a Sabbath-School, service 
every two weeks, and a weekly prayer-meeting. 
They are preparing to build a house for the worship 
of God. 

IV. FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. 

There is one part of our Sabbath-School mis- 
sionary work of vast importance which is often mis- 
understood or altogether overlooked, viz., the vis- 
itation from house to house in scattered districts. 
Success in this line of work is grand and far-reach- 
ing in its results. The advent of the Sabbath- 
School missionary into a district, even for a short 



"THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY " 23 

season, is an event of great importance, bringing 
new agencies and influences to bear upon lives hith- 
erto unfavorably situated. Going from " house to 
house " as the servant of Christ, " with the impress 
and reflection of the love of God upon his own 
character," is, in every case, in one way or another, 
the bringing by the missionary of salvation to those 
homes. 

They are never the same again, but become brighter 
and better. 

Think of the many homes where the missionary 
remains over night ! What a strange and hallowed 
experience is given when he takes his Bible and 
holds family worship in those homes for the first 
time. Thus, in a manner we cannot describe, the 
sweet peace of God rests upon these families at 
least for the time being. Pray for us, that our visits 
from home to home may be more blessed than ever 
before. 

Having begun the good work in these families, it 
is important that it should be continued. This can 
be done through the agency of the " Post Office 
Mission." This we have been doing for some time 
past, our plan being to place the names of families 
in our mission field in charge of Christian families, 
so that after having read papers in their own homes 
they can send them to these needy ones. A lady 
once asked us, " What kind of literature shall we 
send ? " and was answered " Whatever has done the 
members of your family good and has made them 



24 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

brighter and better!' This is the kind to send. 
These weekly packets of papers for old and young 
are like so many " life lines " thrown out to the 
spiritually destitute families amongst whom our 
Sabbath-School missionaries work, seeking to save 
and to bless. 

By this means a spiritual system of doing good 
is established which may bring a rich reward to 
both sender and receiver. 

V. " SHEEP HAVING NO SHEPHERD." 

Each month I spend two weeks in old and two 
weeks in new fields. 

On May 25th, 1892, I began work in a new dis- 
trict, in the northwestern part of Clark County. 
My work for the two weeks took in a tract of coun- 
try fairly well peopled by farmers. It contained 
six public schools, five of which had a large number 
on their rolls. At this time I found only one Sab- 
bath-School, and it was in its infancy. No regular 
service in the English language ; only an occasional 
service with long intervals between. I began my 
work by visiting among the families, seeking to do 
them good and to awaken interest in behalf of Sab- 
bath-Schools. In addition, I held seven meetings, 
all of which were well attended and much appre- 
ciated. In shaking hands with the people, at the 
close of the services, a number of the mothers ex- 
pressed gratitude that a Sabbath-School missionary 
had found them out and was willing to help them. 



" THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY 2$ 

Two SabbatJi-Sclwols were organized and taken 
under our care. These, and the district, I will help 
all I can. I have sent a library of fifty books to one 
of the Sabbath-Schools. When I left the people 
the cry was, " Don't be long in coming back again.'' 

VI. " WITHOUT GOD AND WITHOUT HOPE." 

August jth, 1892. — I went to-day for the first 
time into the township of Hewittsville, a district 
which has been peopled for the past twenty-five 
years. The settlers are mostly Americans. I found 
on my visit a large number of families, all of them 
living destitute of all organized Christian agency. 
The people told me that some five or six years ago 
one of the pastors from Neillsville gave them an oc- 
casional service, but that was stopped. When I 
visited the people I found them ready to admit and 
deplore their sad condition, but they felt helpless 
of themselves. They gave me a ready welcome 
into their homes, and expressed a hearty willingness 
to accept any service I could give them. Here my 
first duty was to preach the gospel and give them 
the printed Word. The first service was given in 
the schoolhouse on August 7th, and was well at- 
tended and much appreciated. I arranged to give 
them a second service the following Sabbath even- 
ing. After that I hope to form them into a Sab- 
bath-School and preaching station. By this means 
they will get help to help themselves. I will give 
them a monthly review service; this I shall en- 



26 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

deavor to make as interesting and helpful as possible 
to old and young. This is a small beginning, but 
we have faith that God will bless this effort among 
people so needy. Sometimes a single spark from a 
passing locomotive sets a forest or a prairie on fire. 
This fact in the material world is typical of the 
spiritual. Christian friends, these dwellers of 
Hewittsville are your brothers and sisters, having 
souls to be saved and lives to be made Christlike. 



This people have now a well-furnished Sabbath- 
School and occasional preaching service, for which 
they are thankful. 

VII. A SABBATH-SCHOOL INSTITUTE IN THE FOREST. 

August 17th, 1892, was a day long to be re- 
membered in the history of Dudley and Bloomville. 
On that day a beautiful and signal manifestation 
was given of the good that is being done by the 
Sabbath-School agency of the Presbyterian Church 
through its Sabbath-School missionaries. Mr. Gray, 
a temporary Sabbath- School missionary, did good 
work during the summer, and as a culmination an 
all-day service was held on the 17th, when an au- 
dience of 300 people came from their distant and 
scattered homes and assembled in a shady grove 
in the woods. The services of the day began at 
1 1 A. m., and a sermon was preached by myself. 

After this service dinner was served to the people 
in fine style. 



" THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY 2/ 

At 2:30 P. m. a Sabbath-School Institute was 
held, at which a number of the scholars gave read- 
ings, interspersed with singing of hymns. After 
this, sharp and pointed addresses were given, bear- 
ing upon different aspects of Sabbath-School work, 
by the Rev. Messrs. Fords, of Merrill, and Messrs. 
Perin and Gray. Mr. Gray, in a feeling manner, after 
expressing the pleasure he had had in his work, 
took leave of the people. A delegation of ladies 
and gentlemen was present from Merrill, who joined 
heartily in the services with the people. Everything 
in connection with the proceedings of the day was 
beautiful, and all felt that the blessing of God had 
been upon them. There are now four Sabbath- 
Schools and one Sabbath- School mission church in 
this district. 



CHAPTER IV 
ENCOURAGEMENTS 

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking 
heed thereto according to thy word. — Ps. ug : g. 

I. " A House for God Built." 

II. Lost in the Woods. 

III. Memorizing Passages of Scripture. 

IV. " By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them." 
V. A Thank-Offering. 

VI. " There was Great Joy in That District." 



I. " A HOUSE FOR GOD BUILT." 

September 5th, i8p2. — Last Saturday and Sab- 
bath, September 3d and 4th, were red-letter days in 
the history of the farmers living along the banks of 
Eau Plaine River. On those days a series of meet- 
ings were held in connection with the opening and 
dedication of a neat and commodious Sabbath- 
School mission chapel, twenty by thirty feet. All 
the materials used in the erection of this chapel 
were kindly provided by the Sabbath-School of the 
North Broad Street Presbyterian Church, of Phila- 
delphia, which gave $105.00 for that purpose. The 
people of the settlement did the work. Some days 
nine men were to be seen employed on it, and the 
28 



ENCOURAGEMENTS 29 

day before these services the mothers turned out in 
force to give it some finishing touches for the oc- 
casion. 

The dedication services took place on Sabbath, at 
3 p. m., when every seat was filled. Some of those 
present came a distance of six miles. I was assisted 
by Rev. J. Bigger, pastor of Colby. At this service 
the chapel was duly named " The Eau Plaine Harper 
Memorial Sabbath-School Mission Chapel," this by 
request and in honor of the donors. A thank-offer- 
ing to our Church's Sabbath-School Mission Work, 
amounting to three dollars and twenty-one cents, 
was taken up. Four persons were baptized, this 
being the first service of the kind ever administered 
in the district. By the erection of this chapel the 
people of this needy locality are enabled to re-open 
their Sabbath-School, and have occasional service, 
with no interference. 

As a fitting crown to this noble work, a lady be- 
longing to the Presbyterian church of Bryn Mawr, 
Pa., has kindly and imexpectedly promised to send a 
new organ, which will be placed in the new chapel 
as soon as it comes. Thus the lives of these people 
have been brightened and their hearts made glad. 
Thus it is that Christ's plan is being accomplished. 

II. LOST IN THE WOODS. 

I have often thought, but until this time have 
never expressed it, that the pioneer Sabbath-School 
missionary carries on his Christlike work exposed 



30 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

to many hardships and dangers. Such servants of 
Christ do, in a very real manner, take up his cross 
and follow him. Their work demands a constant 
travel along roads in many cases bad, or along 
paths in the woods which are, in many cases, diffi- 
cult to follow. This they do in all kinds of weather, 
in order to reach out to those families and districts 
where no other person goes. 

These thoughts have been suggested as a fitting 
introduction to an account of my being lost in the 
woods of Wisconsin. This experience occurred 
on Friday, November 4th, 1892, while visiting the 
families in the Eau Plaine Sabbath-School district. 
On that day I took a path that led through the for- 
est, but owing to some change which had been 
made, I failed to take the right track, and in my 
efforts to find it went deeper and deeper into the 
forest, until at last I found that / was completely 
lost. I felt perplexed at this, and, in addition, a 
feeling of fear seized upon me, as I realized that I 
was in a region where guns were sometimes set to 
kill deer, as they pass along these solitary regions. 
A year before, a man was shot and killed by a gun 
so set, two miles from this very place. I thought of 
my home and loved ones. How near and yet how 
far they seemed ! In my extremity I lifted up my 
heart to God like Nehemiah, and took courage, and 
pushed my way through tangled brush and over 
large fallen trees, but still I failed to come to an 
opening in the forest. Then I shouted as loudly as 



ENCOURAGEMENTS 31 

possible, " Hello ! " This is the lost call known to 
the people living in these regions. This I continued 
to do every now and again, but no returning call 
greeted my listening ear. At last I reached the 
banks of the Eau Plaine River and felt somewhat 
relieved. I followed the river with difficulty until I 
came to the nearest bridge ; then my anxieties were 
at an end, for I then knew where I was and could 
make my way to my destination. Upon looking at 
my watch I found that I had been wandering for 
two hours in the forest, nearly all that time perspir- 
ing profusely through anxiety and hard traveling. 
A hearty reception was accorded me at the first 
house I visited. There I rested and was bountifully 
refreshed. 

III. MEMORIZING PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE. 

September 14th, 1892. — One of the instructions 
given to Sabbath-School missionaries is to this effect, 
that they are to carry on their work in close con- 
tact with, and cordial approval of the pastors of the 
churches. In the lines of these instructions I have 
spent the past few days in a most profitable manner, 
in associated labors, in work arranged for by the 
Rev. J. Wilson, of Oxford. On Thursday, Sep- 
tember 8th, a Sabbath-School Institute was held in 
the church at Oxford. It was a grand success. The 
service began at 10 a. m. and was largely attended, 
the audience being composed of people from all 
parts of the district for a radius of ten miles. The 



32 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

meeting was presided over by Mr. Wilson. Ad- 
dresses were delivered on themes appropriate to the 
occasion by Rev. Messrs. Fisher, Bain and Adams ; 
Mr. Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary, 
and Sabbath-School superintendents Robertson and 
Dunn. Mr. Wilson's conclusion was a fine sum- 
mary of Sabbath-School points. Prayer and the 
singing of hymns also formed an important part of 
the service. In the afternoon a memory lesson class 
was formed for the purpose of testing the progress 
made in memorizing passages from the word of 
God, the prize, which consisted of a Bible given by 
Joseph Brown, was awarded to Alexander Wilson. 
At dinner time, a splendid basket dinner was pro- 
vided, to which all were invited ; a fine opportunity 
was thus given to have a little social intercourse, a 
point of great importance. The meeting closed at 
5 p. m. Many expressions of approval were heard, 
as the people separated. Truly the blessing of God 
was present at all the meetings. 

On Sabbath, September nth, I had the privilege, 
under the guidance of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, to visit 
and address two out of his three Sabbath-Schools ; 
and in addition, I gave three " Gospel Talks " in each 
of his three churches where his widely scattered 
people meet. Over 400 persons were reached dur- 
ing the day. To accomplish this a distance of 
twenty-two miles had to be traveled. Such a state- 
ment of facts will give an idea of the great work 
done in many of our country districts. Such work 



ENCOURAGEMENTS 33 

partakes of the noble and grand, and is in the 

highest sense Christlike. 

IV. " BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." 

The good fruit of any branch of Christian work is 
an evidence of its worth. Thus judged, the Sab- 
bath-School mission work of our Church warmly 
commends itself to our hearty support and prayers. 
Over three years ago a Sabbath-School and mission 
station was commenced in a needy settlement on 
the banks of the Eau Claire River, twelve miles from 
Wausau. The work has been continued, and a Sab- 
bath-School mission chapel has been built in which 
the school is held and the gospel frequently 
preached. During the past summer three grand 
all day services were held at intervals of a few 
weeks. To all of these meetings the people came 
out in large numbers and gave good heed to the 
truth spoken. At each of the meetings the Rev. 
W. O Carrier, pastor of the church in Wausau, 
preached sound gospel sermons and Sabbath- 
School missionaries occupied the rest of the time in 
giving addresses bearing upon Sabbath-School work 
and Christian character. 

At all these meetings great good was done. 
Eleven persons were baptized, eight of whom were 
adults, who thus made confession of their faith in 
Christ. On Sabbath, the 9th of October, 1892, 
that being Rallying Day in Mr. Carrier's church, 
twenty-five persons came in from the mission sta- 



34 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

tion in order to be present. This statement presents 
a fine illustration of the cooperative character of 
our Sabbath-School mission work and the blessed 
results which flow from it. 

V. A THANK-OFFERING. 

November 2jd y 1892. — A few days ago, when 
concluding a simple gospel address in a country dis- 
trict, I asked those present what they meant to do 
with the gospel message, which had been given to 
them that evening. If they rejected it, then the 
prayer of the dying Saviour was in order — " Father 
forgive them for they know not what they do." 
What a grievous loss it is for families to be reared 
without the benefits and comforts of applied Chris- 
tianity ! 

Every month that I labor as a Sabbath-School 
missionary among the needy and scattered families 
of Northern Wisconsin, only tends to deepen my 
conviction of that fact. Last month I visited four- 
teen Sabbath-School mission districts ; called on 
one hundred families, talked kindly to them and 
gave them books and tracts ; and delivered twenty- 
eight addresses. This missionary work, like all 
other Christian work, meets with varied receptions, 
but in no case is it in vain. " Like bread cast upon 
the water it returns after many days." 

As an illustration of this truth, let me state the 
following : When waiting in a country depot a few 
days ago and while talking to a farmer, he said to 



ENCOURAGEMENTS 35 

me, " Did you not some time ago give a talk to young 
people in the district of Buffalo ? " I replied that I did, 
my subject being " Samuel, a character study." He 
then told me that that talk had done his son much 
good and that he had lived a better life ever since. 
Truly the promises of God are all yea and amen in 
Christ Jesus. 

Take the following as another illustration. One 
Sabbath this month, when halting at a home, after 
the hour of service, before partaking of dinner, I 
found to my surprise under my plate a small bag of 
money, as a thank offering for the good done to the 
people of that community. The offering amounted 
to #8.15. The Lord Jesus Christ, who still sits over 
his treasury, will no doubt take note of the offering 
of this appreciative people. Christians, pray for 
this work that it may continue to prosper. 

" Cast thy bread upon the waters, 

You who have abundant store, 
It may float on many a billow, 

It may strand on many a shore ; 
You may think it lost forever, 

But as sure as God is true, 
In this life or in the other, 

It will yet return to you." 

VI. " THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THAT DISTRICT." 

December 22d y i8g2. — On Tuesday evening of 
this week an important event took place in the 
Harper Riverside Sabbath-School Mission Chapel — 
a Presbyterian church was organized by the Rev. 



36 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

E. P. Rankine, from Stevens Point, acting in behalf 
of the Presbytery of Winnebago, assisted by Mr. 
Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. Twelve 
persons were enrolled as members, and a number of 
others are expected to do so at an early date. It 
may with truth be said " there was great joy in that 
district " that night. 

The following is a record of what was then done, 
which is of interest. After an appropriate sermon 
by Mr. Rankine, the following was submitted and 
agreed to : 

Confession of Faith. 
We, the undersigned, desiring to be organized 
into a Presbyterian church in connection with the 
Presbytery of Winnebago, subscribe the following 
confession of faith and covenant :— 

1. We believe in one only living and true God, 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

2. We believe in the Bible as the Word of God 
given to make wise unto salvation. 

3. We believe that we are sinners against God, 
and, as such, deserving of his righteous judgment. 

4. We believe in Jesus Christ as the God-pro- 
vided Saviour of sinners. 

5. We believe in the necessity of the renewing 
and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. 

6. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and 
in a general judgment. We therefore enter into the 
following 



encouragements $7 

Covenant : — 

1. We take this God — the Father — to be our 
Father, the Son to be our Saviour, and the Holy- 
Spirit to be our sanctifier and guide. And we take 
the Holy Scriptures to be the rule of our faith 
and conduct. 

2. As far as we know our own hearts we repent 
of all our sins and desire to be delivered from all 
sin. 

3. We engage as members of this church to do 
our part as God shall give us light in all the work of 
the church and to live in Christian affection with its 
members. 

4. In order to maintain our Christian life, we en- 
gage to practice conscientiously the duties of prayer 
and Bible reading, and Christian fellowship espe- 
cially, seeking to use the hours of the Lord's day for 
these purposes. 

All these we will strive to do, through the grace 
of God helping us, until death. 



CHAPTER V 
WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion 
on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep 
having no shepherd. — Matt, g :j6. 

I. The Schools That Die. 

II. Prayers Answered. 

III. Inasmuch. 

IV. Children's Services. 
V. " Don't Give up Hope." 

VI. " These Meetings do Us All Good." 
VII. Summer Work. 

VIII. Dedication of the Chapel at Short- 
ville. 
IX. Developments at Dell's Dam. 
X. Institute at Little River. 



I. THE SCHOOLS THAT DIE. 

Marshfieldy Wis., March u, 1893. — As I sat in 
my home, hemmed in for a few days by the severity 
of the weather, I read with much interest Dr. 
Worden's newly issued " Drill for Children's Day, 
June 11, 1893." There is one sentence in that 
drill that I want to take and make a text of. The 
sentence is this : " The other third die on account 

38 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 39 

of unfavorable surroundings." Now, what are the 
facts in such cases ? While it may be true that the 
Sabbath-Schools, in their public organized form, 
may have ceased their work, it does not mean that all 
the high and holy influences that these schools set in 
motion have ceased to be. Even the short life of 
each of these has scattered religious and moral germs 
into every home and into every heart of the dis- 
trict and who can tell how many hearts these germs 
of Christian truth may lead to a Christian life. 
What is called death in the physical world is not 
annihilation, it is only a change of conditions. If 
that is so in the physical world can we for one 
moment expect a less beneficent law to rule in the 
spiritual ? 

" Unfavorable surroundings " are given as the 
cause of the death of these Sabbath-Schools. Often 
and suddenly these conditions are changed, and, as 
a result, these schools are resumed in a more fruit- 
ful form. This is well illustrated by the experience 
of the Dell's Dam Sabbath-School, which was closed 
for a season on account of " unfavorable surround- 
ings." Some time after, a Christian family moved 
into the neighborhood. The mother, a noble fol- 
lower of Christ, declared that if a Sabbath-School 
could not live there neither could they. The school 
was at once resumed, although it was midwinter. 
I was appealed to for help, in the shape of papers, 
which I gladly supplied. Other illustrations of the 
same kind might be given. 



40 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Another point I want to make here, is this : 
In the organization of every Sabbath-School the 
Sabbath-School missionary makes the personal ac- 
quaintance of the families in the district. This, on 
the part of the missionary, means much ; aiming 
as he does at the salvation of souls, acquaintance 
ripens into friendship, which opens up the way 
for doing good in many forms. Through the ef- 
forts of the missionary, scores of families have 
received and are receiving Bibles, books, tracts, and 
weekly packets of suitable Christian reading, sent by 
the members of our different churches. There is 
no failure in any work done in faith for Christ. 

II. PRAYERS ANSWERED. 

April ist, 1893. — Prayer is a duty often pressed 
home on the heart of the Sabbath-School mission- 
ary as he begins his great work, with few workers. 
God's answers to such prayer come in various 
ways, and when they do come, it is but right that 
they should be made known. A wonderful answer 
to such prayers has come to the Sabbath-School and 
district of Dell's Dam. The work begun there some 
three years ago, was not as prosperous as we longed 
for, owing to the want of suitable workers. But 
that is now changed. Last fall a Christian family 
of the right kind and full of the spirit of Christian 
work came to settle in the district. The Sabbath- 
School was opened on the first Sabbath in January, 
and has been carried on with vigor and success not- 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 4 1 

withstanding the deep snow. The average attend- 
ance was thirty. 

I visited the district this week and saw the good- 
ness of the Lord. I held a service, the school- 
house being filled. The service seemed to be a de- 
light to all, old and young. This new style of liv- 
ing has given birth to new tastes and new wants. 
This I found in my visitations among the families. 
One lady teacher gave me an order for seven Testa- 
ments, these to be given to her class. One man, 
the father of a family, wanted a Bible of large type, 
with references in it. Another family wanted a 
book of " select readings " suited to the new con- 
dition of things ; and, most important of all, a 
strong request was made for more frequent preach- 
ing of the gospel. I promised to help all I could. 
I will try and give them services at least once a 
month, until more help can be given. They gave 
$3.27 as a thank-offering. Knowing their circum- 
stances as I do, it looks as if this gift was worthy 
of a place in the roll of the " widow's mite." 

III. INASMUCH. 

April 22 ■, z8gj. — On Saturday last I left my 
home for a mission tour in Lincoln County. Spent 
the Sabbath at Merrill where I gave several talks to 
the Sabbath-School and people. Early on Monday 
morning I set out to make my way to the Bloom- 
ville and Dudley Districts. The distance was fifteen 
miles along a road which in places was simply 



42 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

awful, so deep was the mud, but a careful driver 
and two good horses, got us safely through. I 
found my visit was made a little too early in 
the season as the roads had not settled ; my visi- 
tations therefore " from house to house " had to 
be made under difficulties as the roads were in 
many places deep with mud and water. But I 
struggled through a portion of the district and 
held two meetings on different evenings for the 
purpose of stimulating the people to renewed activ- 
ity in Sabbath-School work during the coming 
spring and summer. I was pleased to learn that 
three of the Sabbath-Schools had been carried on 
during the winter with varying success. Such dis- 
tricts, so isolated and possessed of so few Christian 
workers, need in a very special degree, all the 
" prayers and help " that more favored Christian 
people can give them. The Presbyterian Sabbath- 
School mission agency has done not a little to help 
along in these lines, for which the people feel grateful. 
In this district there are upwards of sixty fami- 
lies located. The only means of grace that has as 
yet reached them consists of the Sabbath-School, 
and the occasional services given by the Sabbath- 
School missionary, or some servant of God who 
may happen to pass that way. In nearly all the 
homes good religious reading is to be found, much 
of which we have supplied. All these things form so 
many " life lines " that have been thrown out to these 
people as brethren " whom some one should save." 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 43 

Among the families that rejoiced in blessings re ■ 
ceived, was one that had been benefited in many 
ways, and came to express thanks. The four 
motherless girls of this family are now in close con- 
tact with a class of twelve girls in Philadelphia; 
each member of the class sends a weekly letter to 
these girls whom they have never seen, and whose 
lives in their little log cabin have been brightened 
and made better in many ways. All this I can 
testify to, having known them before and after the 
inflow of this tide of better things. Oh ! the lux- 
ury of the blessing, that must come to them that do 
good, near or far, in Jesus' name. 

" Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these ye did it unto 
me." 

IV. children's SERVICES. 

Marshfield, Wis., June 28th, 1893. — The month 
of June is generally considered the prettiest month 
of the year. It is appropriate, therefore, that Chil- 
dren's Day should be held in that month. One of 
the great objects of these services is to make chil- 
dren happy by helping children less favored than 
themselves. They do this by providing money to 
send out Sabbath-School missionaries to organize 
and encourage Sabbath-Schools in spiritually desti- 
tute regions. 

During the present month, I have had the pleas- 
ure of presiding over four Children's Day services. 
All of these were looked forward to, by old and 



44 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

young, with absorbing interest, and in consequence, 
the attendance was large, over one thousand per- 
sons being present at the four gatherings. The 
good work done was encouraging, giving tangible 
evidence of the benefits arising from Sabbath-School 
mission work — these schools themselves being the 
fruit of such work. To show how good repeats it- 
self, the schools gave thirty dollars to the funds of 
our Board, to assist in sending out missionaries to 
organize other schools. Knowing as I do the cir- 
cumstances of these children, this contribution was 
encouraging in the highest degree. At each of 
these places, in concluding the services, I took oc- 
casion to test the children on their knowledge of 
the Bible, and was much pleased at the answers 
given. This was a fine commendation of the value 
of the work. As I scanned the faces of the parents, 
I saw how pleased they were to have their children 
taking part in such services. Here, as in other 
things, success leads to success. By doing good 
work, the way is opened to do better. We thank 
God, take courage, and go forward. 

v. "don't give up hopf." 
July, iSpj. — I spent last week in a new district, 
mostly in Waushara County, which has a population 
of over thirteen thousand. On Tuesday last I visited 
in Plainfield Township. There I came across a con- 
dition of things which made my heart sad, many 
families being submerged in a condition of com- 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 45 

plete forgetfulness of God, of his day, and of his 
ordinances, and the children growing up without 
the benefits of any Christian training. I selected a 
district and visited all the families, sixteen in num- 
ber. I sought to get acquainted with the people 
and to help them with the means at my disposal. 
The people were ready to admit their conditions 
were bad, both for their children and themselves ; 
and a feeling of hopelessness, as to anything better, 
seemed to possess them. I told them not to give 
up hope ; that I had come for the purpose of help- 
ing them to help themselves to have the benefits of 
a Sabbath-School and an occasional preaching 
service. They seemed to think that I had under- 
taken a difficult work. But, with faith in God, I 
resolved to try. A meeting was arranged for in the 
evening, to be held in the schoolhouse near by. It 
certainly was a work of faith, and the mountains of 
difficulty were removed. A good meeting was 
held, and a Sabbath-School was organized and 
placed under the care of a lady, who was one of the 
few in the district who had any church connection. 
At the earnest request of the people, I held another 
service for them on the evening of the 15th of July. 

VI. " THESE MEETINGS DO US ALL GOOD." 

Marshfieldy Wis., August 23d, 1893. — One prom- 
inent feature of our past month's work has been the 
local Sabbath-School Institutes which have been 
held in different portions of our field. There have 



46 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

been four such gatherings, at which nineteen Sab- 
bath-Schools were represented, drawn from a wide 
region of country. At these meetings, two or 
three ministers of our church were present and took 
part, in addition to the superintendents and Sab- 
bath-School missionaries. The number of people 
in attendance was large, reaching to between two 
and three hundred. The meetings lasted the entire 
day and were devoted to the interests of Sabbath- 
School work in one form or another, and these 
were presented in such a manner as to be interest- 
ing and helpful to all. In addition to sermons, 
there were short and snappy addresses bearing upon 
several phases of Sabbath-School work. 

A Bible memory contest was held, and prizes 
awarded. These competitions were attended with 
good results, as they awakened great interest in this 
branch of our work. 

Altogether, the good done by these meetings is 
very great, deepening and rendering permanent the 
Sabbath-School work begun in each district. These 
meetings do good in bringing the people together 
in a new relation and they help to develop the 
longing for all that is good and true. When such 
gatherings come to a close, these words are often 
heard : " These meetings do us all good." 

VII. SUMMER WORK. 

Marshfield, Wis., September 6th, iSpj. — At the 
spring meeting of the Winnebago Presbytery, it was 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 47 

agreed to ask for the services of four summer Sab- 
bath-School missionaries, to be placed by me in 
such parts of the field as seemed best — this to meet 
with the approval of the chairman of the Presby- 
tery's Sabbath-School Committee. I met the 
young men as they came to begin their work, and 
instructed them as best I could. In each case I 
directed them to carry on their work in close con- 
tact with the different pastors near their fields of 
labor. From the knowledge already in my posses- 
sion of the work done by these students, it does 
seem that a grand work was accomplished by them. 
A fair number of Sabbath-Schools were organized 
and reorganized, families were visited, and numer- 
ous districts brought into contact with the word 
preached, as well as in printed form. I am pleased 
to know that many of the pastors bear testimony 
to the good work done. The numerous Sabbath- 
School Institutes that have been held in each of the 
districts, have given evidence of the blessed char- 
acter of the work of these students. It has im- 
proved whole districts. 

In addition to these young men, Mr. Mack, a 
worthy elder from the state of New York, was 
commissioned and placed in this Presbytery early 
in the summer. His work has commended itself, 
and has been much blessed. 

VIII. DEDICATION OF THE CHAPEL AT SHORTVILLE. 

Marshfieldy J Vis., October 23d, 1893. — The past 



48 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

week has been made memorable by the work which 
has been done in connection with Sabbath-School 
missions. Two chapels have been dedicated and 
arrangements made for a similar service, on the 18th 
and 19th of November, at Dell's Dam. 

On Tuesday, October 17th, the chapel at Short- 
ville was dedicated. On that occasion three services 
were held, all of which were well attended and 
much appreciated. All who attended were kindly 
entertained at dinner by the people of the settle- 
ment. It was truly a love feast. Five ministers 
and two Sabbath-School missionaries took part in 
the day's services. The people of this settlement 
were grandly helped by the ladies of Arch Street 
Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, who gave the 
sum of $100.00. A pulpit Bible came from a mem- 
ber of the Sabbath-School of the same church. 
The sum of $15.00 was given by the Wenonah 
Sabbath-School of New Jersey, to aid in purchas- 
ing chairs. In recognition of this kindness, the 
chapel was named, " The Arch Street Shortville 
Church." The dedicatory sermon was preached by 
Rev. Rollo Branch, of Marshfield. 

On Saturday and Sunday, October 21st and 
22d, dedicatory services were held in connection 
with the chapel at Trapp City. Two ministers and 
two Sabbath-School missionaries took part in the 
services. On Saturday, the dedicatory sermon was 
preached by Rev. W. O. Carrier, of Wausau, assisted 
by Rev. James Ford, of Merrill. Here also the peo- 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 49 

pie attending these services were kindly entertained 
at dinner by the inhabitants of the settlement. En- 
couraging help was given to this district by one of 
the devoted elders of the North Broad Street Presby- 
terian Church, Philadelphia, who donated $100.00. 
Aid was also rendered by some of the members 
of the Presbyterian Church at Wausau. By this 
timely assistance, the people were enabled to erect 
their chapel in one of the most needy districts of 
the mission field. The services were continued 
throughout the Sabbath by Messrs. Brown and 
Mack, Sabbath-School missionaries. Officers for 
the Sabbath-School were elected and everything put 
in good shape for work. These chapels, completed, 
cost $400.00. They are sufficient for the purpose 
and will be the means of great spiritual good to the 
people of the various settlements for years to come. 
May God bless all coming work which shall be 
done in these Sabbath-School mission chapels ! 

IX. DEVELOPMENTS AT DELL'S DAM. 

Marshfield, Wis., November 2ist y 1893. — The 
laying of the foundation stone of the " Ox- 
ford" Dell's Dam Sabbath-School Mission Chapel, 
is worthy of being recorded. This was an event 
that awakened the deepest interest among the fami- 
lies of the district ; all turned out, dressed in their 
best. The people formed in procession and walked 
to the church in the following order : Sabbath- 
School scholars first, led by the superintendent, ac- 



50 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

companied by Mr. Oakley, an elder of the Presby- 
terian church, of Neillsville, and myself; and then 
came the fathers and mothers. Truly it was a sight 
to behold, and one well fitted to awaken hopeful 
thoughts of a far-reaching nature. It might well be 
classed as one of those scenes calculated to awaken 
interest even among the " Angelic host." Suitable 
services occupied the day, two hours being set aside 
for dinner and social intercourse ; the latter being 
an important element for good at all such meetings, 
giving reality to the idea of a Christian brotherhood. 
This people have done well, having out of their 
small means, subscribed $300.00 for the church. 
Grand help came to them from the children and 
young people of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 
Philadelphia, they having given $100.00, and an 
organ. They also promised to send one hundred 
books for the library. For all this the people feel 
glad and thankful. 

November 18th and 19th, 1893, were days which 
will be memorable to the people in the district of 
Dell's Dam, for on these days the dedication of the 
new chapel took place. The weather was all that 
could be desired. The services were well attended 
and much appreciated, and were conducted by Rev. 
T. C. Hill and Mr. Oakley, both of Neillsville, as- 
sisted by Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. 
Mrs. McAdams and Mrs. Oakley, also from Neills- 
ville, took charge of the musical part of the pro- 
gramme, and delighted the people with sweet strains 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 5 I 

from the organ which had been so kindly presented 
to them. 

On Saturday the people were entertained at a 
sumptuous dinner provided by the good housewives 
of the district. 

The chapel, which is neat and well finished and 
which is capable of accommodating above one 
hundred persons, cost $404.00. 

It was intimated that the Sabbath-School of We- 
nonah, New Jersey, would present the chapel with 
sixty chairs. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded 
to these kind friends, and to all others who had in 
any way given aid. 

This chapel is the seventh that has been erected 
in the needy fields of this state under the auspices 
of the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sab- 
bath-School Work within five years. These form 
the entering wedge which will lift the people to a 
higher and happier life, and supply important ob- 
ject lessons in illustrating how Sabbath-School 
work is being made successful and permanent. 

X. INSTITUTE AT LITTLE RIVER. 

Marshfield, Wis., December, 1893. — The hearts 
of the people of the Presbyterian Church in town 
and country are beating in Christlike sympathy for 
Sabbath-School missions. 

We make this statement because of what we have 
seen and heard. 

On three successive Sabbath evenings, after doing 



52 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

missionary work in the regions around I was privi- 
leged to address the following churches, Poynette, 
Fort Howard and Oconto. In each of these I found 
the pastors and members in hearty accord with our 
Christlike work. 

Four weeks ago, I made a profitable visit to Mr. 
James Bain, the Sabbath-School missionary for 
Madison Presbytery. I went over some of the fields 
of work opened by him, and in each place found 
that the work done was grand and hopeful. 

Notwithstanding a blinding snowstorm, which 
took place during the time of my visit, the people 
came out in goodly numbers and filled up the little 
schoolhouses where the meetings were held. In 
every place I found evidences of good work being 
done. 

On Saturday, December 2d, the last Sabbath- 
School Institute for the year was held at Little 
River, in the County of Oconto. The arrangements 
for this meeting were made under the direction of 
Brother Bossard, pastor of Oconto church, and 
Brother Very, home missionary for the districts of 
Styles and Little River. The institute was a grand 
success. Although the snow was ten inches deep, 
the families of the settlement turned out in goodly 
numbers ; there was also a delegation of twenty-five 
noble hearted ladies from Oconto to aid in the serv- 
ices of the day. The papers and addresses were 
excellent, and brimful of suggestions helpful in Sab- 
bath-School work. The institute closed with the 



WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 53 

usual Scripture memory class, under the guidance of 
Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. The 
appreciation of the people was such that it was 
agreed to hold another institute next June. 



CHAPTER VI 
GATHER THEM IN 

And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways 
and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be 
filled. — Luke 14 : 23. 

I. A Great Change. 
II. Scotland Interested. 
III. One Week's Work for the Master. 



I. A GREAT CHANGE. 

April jtk, 1894.. — On my way to visit Hewitts- 
ville, I met Rev. Mr. Hill, the new pastor of Neills- 
ville, who accompanied me in order to see the 
needs of the field. We visited fourteen families and 
arranged for a meeting. Fifty people assembled, 
coming from homes far and scattered. The visit- 
ing pastor was astonished and impressed at the 
sight. The meeting was a stirring one, all appar- 
ently feeling that it was good for them to be there. 
While taking supper in one of the homes, the father 
of the family remarked : " Before this Sabbath-School 
work began we played cards all the Sabbath day, 
but now all this is changed and we all try to spend 
the day as God commanded it should be spent." 

April 2jth. — I visited Stratford to-day for the first 
54 



GATHER THEM IN 55 

time. This is a new center of habitation about 
fourteen miles from Marshfield. Here are a saw- 
mill, a boarding house, fourteen homes, a fine new 
schoolhouse, and, sad to say, three saloons. I 
called upon the school board and obtained permis- 
sion to hold service in the schoolroom. I visited 
all the homes, leaving reading material and inviting 
the inmates to attend the meeting. A good and at- 
tentive audience assembled. At the end of the 
service, a Sabbath-School was organized. The 
majority of the people are connected with the Catho- 
lic Church, although there is a goodly number to be 
reached by the Sabbath-School and the occasional 
services connected with it. 

April 29th. — I went out to visit the Kelly Sab- 
bath-School, accompanied by two good brothers of 
Wausau, who have, during the past year, done no- 
ble work in connection with the school of that 
place. Last year the school was reorganized for 
the fifth time. Before, for various reasons, it failed, 
but this year it is a grand success, through the bless- 
ing of God upon the untiring zeal of the two work- 
ers to whom I have referred. During the past year 
they have driven sixteen miles every Sabbath to su- 
perintend and teach in that Sabbath-School. The 
membership is now eighty-five, many of the people 
coming five miles in order to be present. There is 
a Bible class composed of twenty-five men. " Be 
not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall 
reap, if ye faint not." 



56 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

II. SCOTLAND INTERESTED. 

Marshfield, Wis., November igth, i8g/j.. — Last 
week I went to Neillsville to join Rev. Mr. Hill in 
a week's mission work at Dell's Dam. At the close 
of the week's services, ten persons signed a petition, 
desiring to be formed into a Presbyterian congrega- 
tion. This result cheered us greatly. 

While sojourning at the parsonage a Scotch pa- 
per, entitled The Hamilton Advertiser of September 
15, 1894, was placed in my hands, containing the 
following graphic letter, written by Mr. Hill. This 
letter gives a good idea of the cooperative work of 
the missionaries and ministers of this state : 

" On Tuesday morning, according to arrangement, 
Mr. Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary for 
the Synod of Wisconsin, arrived at the manse about 
half-past seven o'clock. He had come on the train 
from his own home that morning, some thirty miles 
distant. We had breakfast, and started at eight 
o'clock to a district called Weston, eight miles from 
Neillsville, our objects being to visit the farmers for 
six miles around ; to hold a service in one of the 
schoolhouses, of which there are two ; and, if possi- 
ble, to organize a Sabbath-School. We made some 
calls on the way, and reached a Mrs. Black's about 
twelve o'clock. She is a Scotch woman, a member 
of our church in town. Her husband died some 
time ago, and her son now manages the farm. 
Here we were well entertained, had a rest, and 
started on the road again after one o'clock, our in- 



GATHER THEM IN 57 

tention being to visit right on to the end of the 
section, fourteen miles from Neillsville, where the 
roads stop on the edge of the forest land. 

" We got to the end of the road. On the top of 
the hill here stands a nice little white schoolhouse 
just on the edge of the forest, the tall trees form- 
ing a shady and picturesque background. Mr. 
Brown opened his bag at the schoolhouse, and it 
would have done you good to have seen how de- 
lighted these children were to receive magazines 
suited to their ages full of beautiful pictures and 
good wholesome reading. There were forty chil- 
dren in this school, and there is neither church nor 
Sabbath-School in the district. I may tell you that 
there are no ragged children here, nor poor chil- 
dren in the sense we understand it at home. Some 
of the farmers have not much money, but they 
have good homes, always plenty to eat, and can 
manage to clothe themselves and their children in a 
respectable way. The girls had on light calico 
dresses, and the boys — well, in summer, with the 
thermometer above one hundred, a pair of trousers, 
with a printed shirt, a straw hat, minus boots and 
stockings, completed their attire. These children, 
bright and intelligent looking, acted as missionaries 
for us. They carried the word to their homes that 
we were going to have a service in the schoolhouse 
in the evening. We had supper at Mr. Bullard's, 
whose wife is of Scotch descent — M'Kelvie being 
her maiden name. The farm of Mr. Bullard is the 



58 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

best for twelve miles round about. He settled here 
sixteen years ago, cleared the land of the wood, 
and has now something like eighty acres under 
cultivation. His house is beautifully situated on the 
top of a hill. It is a large house, and has plenty 
of accommodations for visitors. Here we had 
supper and it is enough for me to say that we were 
entertained like princes. If kings, in the imagina- 
tion of the children, live on bread and honey, we 
were entertained like kings, for we had bread and 
honey fresh from the ' skep,' of which I counted 
twenty-three in the front garden. Speaking of the 
bees and how the Strathaven weavers carry the 
' skeps,' out to the heather, Mrs. Bullard wanted to 
be enlightened. She actually wanted to know 
what heather was like ; she had only heard about 
it, but had never seen it. She expressed a desire 
to have a piece. Now here is a task for some of 
your young men, to climb Kype rigg and pull a 
nice piece, and enclose it in a double-sized envelope. 
It will be valued by more than this lady, as there 
are many of Scotch descent who have never seen 
the heather, although they have often heard about 
it and the heath clad hills. 

" But to my story of the day's work. After a 
good rest, we started for the schoolhouse, and held 
a service there at eight o'clock. There were sixty- 
five present, half of that number being young men 
and women. It is more than a year since a re- 
ligious service was held in the schoolhouse; and 



GATHER THEM IN 59 

what makes it worse is, that few of the farmers 
come into church at Neillsville on Sunday. It is a 
long road, and as they all do their own work about 
the farms, it is almost impossible to get to town. 
The vexing part of the whole subject is that the 
religious training of the young is sadly neglected. 
We hope, however, to remedy it, and if we did 
nothing else than reach and influence these young 
people in their different districts, we would do a 
work impossible to over-estimate in importance. 
We have already preached in six different country 
districts, and were asked last week to preach in a 
seventh, and all this, independent of our church 
work in town, gives you some idea of the great 
need. Our Presbytery, I hope, will take the matter 
up and send a missionary or a student to help me. 
This has been talked about, but the funds of the 
Home Mission Board have suffered through the de- 
pression in trade felt all over the land. 

" After the service, we got on the road about half- 
past nine o'clock, with good eight miles before us 
to reach Neillsville. Imagine one of the balmiest 
evenings at home, with a full moon and not a cloud 
in the sky, and you will have some idea of the 
night. Our longest summer evenings here are 
shorter by two hours than those at home. It is 
dark here just now at half past eight o'clock, 
while you will have it light on a clear night till 
after ten. This, of course, gives us a longer and 
cooler summer evening. The drive home was de- 



60 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

lightful. We overtook not a single person, nor did 
a single person or machine pass us the whole way. 
The farmhouses on the road were all in darkness. 
" Early to bed, early to rise," is necessity here if 
the farmers would do their work and escape the 
midday heat. One part of the forest appeared, at 
a distance, to be on fire. As we came nearer we 
discovered that a farmer had been clearing about 
two acres of the forest. We counted thirteen 
heaps of branches and brushwood, and all these 
heaps were burning, and this is how they clear the 
land and prepare it for cultivation. 

" We struck off on to what, we were told, was a 
shorter road home. I had never traveled it. Mr. 
Brown had taken it once. It was a pretty road. It 
was deeply shaded by forest on either side, and not 
knowing it very well, we had to be cautious, lest 
our horse and gig would flounder in some hole. It 
was a great relief to get into the open country, 
with the moon to light us on our way. We passed 
four great mounds all in a row ; after the shape of 
Loudon Hill, one of them as high. They were 
wooded to their summits, and looked weird and 
fantastic in the moonlight. We were enjoying it 
immensely when we were brought to ourselves — not 
by brigands, if you please, but by the fact that it 
suddenly dawned upon us that we had lost our way. 
We had gone over a good piece of ground, it was 
after ten o'clock, and we found no road turning 
southward to take us home to Neillsville. Mr. 



GATHER THEM IN 6l 

Brown began to laugh, and, breaking out into 
broad Scotch, said : ' I dinna mind the road very 
vveel, and I'm no very share as to whaur we are.' 
Lost or not lost, it was positively reassuring to hear 
one's mother tongue here on this lonely road more 
than four thousand five hundred miles from home. 
At last, after driving on a mile or so, we struck a 
road going east, and when we got to the top of the 
hill, we came in full view of the electric light of 
Neillsville, and knew that we were all right. We 
got home after eleven o'clock, having had a good 
day's work, and feeling very much in need of a good 
night's sleep. This diary of a day gives you some 
idea of the great field we have here and the great 
work yet to be done." 

III. ONE WEEK'S WORK FOR THE MASTER. 

Marshfield, Wis., June yth, 1895. — Jesus sent out 
his disciples to prepare his way, two by two. We 
may be sure this was a wise and successful plan, 
and worthy of our imitation. Following his ex- 
ample, Mr. Genung, missionary for Chippewa Pres- 
bytery, and myself, made plans last month to work 
together for a week, in the counties of Dun and St. 
Croix, the week to begin on May 7th. 

On my arrival at Hudson, the headquarters of 
Mr. Genung, I was met and kindly entertained by 
the Presbyterian minister of the place, the Rev. 
Charles T. Burnley. On the morning of May 8th, 
I was joined by my fellow-worker, and we prepared 



62 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

to begin the work of the week. We took an early 
train for Wilson, where we left some of our bag- 
gage, having the prospect before us of a long walk 
and an exceedingly warm day. 

Our destination was a district peopled by a good 
many Scotch families. For a time, we walked 
along the railroad track. While doing so an engine 
came along and the engineer stopped and took us 
up and conveyed us to a place called Knapp. We 
had a good talk with both workmen on the engine. 
Leaving Knapp, we began to ascend a steep bluff. 
The road being circuitous and sandy, with the ther- 
mometer about 90 , you can readily imagine that it 
was a warm climb. When at school, one of our 
copy-book maxims was, " Perseverance overcomes 
difficulties " ; by perseverance, we finally reached 
the Millar settlement, arriving at the home of the 
first family just in time for dinner. We were 
heartily welcomed by this good Scotch family and 
after partaking of a bountiful repast, we had a little 
praise service, singing in conclusion the 100th Psalm 
in true Scotch style; prayer was then offered for 
the blessing of God to rest upon the assembled 
family. 

In the evening, our kind host drove us to the 
Hall schoolhouse for the evening service. Here a 
Sabbath-School had been organized and it was to 
help and stimulate this work that we had come. 

We had a good audience, and the people seemed 
to be benefited and encouraged by the visit and 



GATHER THEM IN 63 

service. It is interesting to meet and make friends 
under such circumstances. 

The meeting over, after a hearty hand-shake all 
around, we returned to the home of our host ; this 
we reached after a most delightful drive, the even- 
ing being very fine. 

On Thursday, May 9th, we were up bright and 
early. This is one of the requirements of a mis- 
sionary in these country homes, and it has its ad- 
vantages as it lengthens the day and gives oppor- 
tunity for a " big " day's work. 

At eight o'clock we made a start for another field 
of labor, the Kimball District. This was ten miles 
distant. The walk was long, but very suggestive. 
The beauties of nature were a joy to see ; but some 
of the lonely homes we visited exhibited conditions 
much lower than we like to see as the heritage of 
the common people of America. They need the 
elevation and joy of Christianity to lift them up and 
make bearable their lot in life. From house to 
house we went, spoke kindly to the people, and put 
into their hands the Word of Life. 

We reached the first family in the Kimball Dis- 
trict at 5 p. m. It was an humble but hospitable 
home, as, in fact, all the homes are which it is a 
missionary's lot to visit. Having partaken of sup- 
per, we set out with the family to the schoolhouse. 
The building was filled by a most attentive audi- 
ence. The service did all present good and deep- 
ened their interest in Sabbath-School work. Here, 



64 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

as elsewhere, we shook hands and made more 
friends to be remembered in our prayers and to 
share our efforts. 

On Friday, May ioth, we were early astir, with 
the prospect of a walk of five miles on a solitary 
road deep with mud. Our destination was Glen- 
wood, a town eight years old with a population of 
over two thousand. Here we found a Presbyterian 
church and Sabbath-School, the results of our mis- 
sionaries' labors. The purpose of our visit here 
was the same as in other places : to encourage and 
to instruct. We visited families and held service in 
a hall which had been nicely fitted up by the Syme 
Manufacturing Company for Sabbath-Schools and 
meetings, and truly it has been well-equipped for 
the purpose. At the end of the service, questions 
were asked and answered in relation to Sabbath- 
School work. 

We found them a noble people with a beautiful 
city which has no saloon, a wonder in this part of 
the state. 

Saturday, May nth. — To-day we had to use a 
team to drive nine miles to where another Sunday- 
School is doing its blessed work. We had a meet- 
ing in the evening and met with good results. 

The superintendent of this Sabbath-School said 
to us, " We love Mr. Genung for organizing this 
Sabbath-School and giving us preaching services oc- 
casionally. A minister of another church paid us 
a visit and looked over our spiritual needs. Before 



GATHER THEM IN 65 

he would give us help he asked how much money 
we would pay for a service every other Sabbath. 
The amount mentioned was not enough to satisfy 
him and he passed away leaving us in a wounded 
condition. Mr. Genung acted the part of the good 
Samaritan, and we love him for it." 

This is a suggestive statement and well worth the 
consideration of all lovers of aggressive Christian 
effort. 

Sunday, May 12th. — This was a busy day, but it 
was blessed in its results, as was evidenced by per- 
sonal testimony. We drove twenty-three miles, and 
held Sabbath-School and three preaching services. 
In the morning we were at Inlet, and had a good 
meeting in that needy field. 

We took the names of all the families and placed 
them under the Portal mission. In the afternoon 
another helpful meeting was held at Hemple. This 
meeting rejoiced the people, and many kind invita- 
tions were given to the missionaries for a repetition 
of their visit. 

At 7 : 30 p. m. a service was held at Glenwood, 
where the hall was filled with an intelligent and ap- 
preciative audience. 

These services have been to us both suggestive 
and memorable. Suggestive, in so far as the results 
tend to confirm the grandeur and the wisdom of 
this branch of our Church's work ; memorable, on 
account of the pleasant associations, and the many 
blessings which God in his goodness showered down 



66 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

on the people, young and old, who composed the 
audiences. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the greatest 
thing in the world. Let us follow the example of 
our blessed Master, whose record is, " He went 
about doing good." A little verse in one of our 
late magazines, entitled " The World's Need " has 
impressed itself on my mind. Let me pass it on : 

" So many paths that wind and wind, 
While just the art of being kind 
Is what our sad world needs." 



CHAPTER VII 
FROM PLACE TO PLACE 

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, 
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner 
of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. — Matt. 

I. Our Efforts Appreciated. 

II. A Blessed Day's Work. 

III. A Spring Tour. 

IV. Triumphs of Sabbath-School Missions 

in Marathon County. 
V. North Lowell. 
VI. Taking Possession. 
VII. Sixteen Miles on a Hand-Car. 



I. OUR EFFORTS APPRECIATED. 

Marshfield, Wis., March, jd^ 1896. — As I sit and 
think, in the few restful hours which I am enjoying 
to-day, my mind is engrossed with the great possi- 
bilities of the Sabbath-School mission work in this 
state. Eight years' service in this branch of work 
has impressed me with its importance. The ques- 
tion presents itself to me, " How can I best get 
others to feel the same enthusiasm ? " I have come 

67 



68 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

to the conclusion that one of the answers to that 
question is, " By endeavoring to portray some of 
the good results of the work which has been in 
progress during these years." As an illustration of 
some of these, I have cut from papers of recent 
date, two articles, the first of which, taken from the 
Portage Democrat of February 14th, shows the ap- 
preciation of the work of Owen J. Owen, who 
labors during the summer in the interests of Sab- 
bath-School work. The contents of the paragraph 
give ample testimony that Mr. Owen's labors have 
been greatly blessed. The second article is from 
the Belleville Recorder of February 28th, and gives 
an account of one of the many Sabbath-School 
Institutes which are being held all over the state in 
the interests of Sabbath-School mission work. The 
missionaries find that this method of work is pro- 
ductive of wonderful success. The Portage Demo- 
crat says : 

" Last Wednesday night the many friends of Mr. 
O. J. Owen, gave him a surprise. About 7:30 p. m., 
the teams began to arrive all loaded down, and by 
eight o'clock the house was packed, about one hun- 
dred people being present. This was a meeting of 
people interested in Sabbath-School matters and they 
met to show their appreciation of the work that Mr. 
Owen has been doing in the surrounding localities 
in organizing Sabbath-Schools. There were three 
schools represented, two of them organized by Mr. 
Owen. In due time the meeting was called to 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 69 

order, by the chairman, Mr. G. Rice. Mr. Owen 
was presented with an elegant gold watch and chain 
and fountain pen, also a few dollars in cash. The 
presentation address was made by Mrs. Jennie Row- 
lands, in behalf of the schools, in a befitting man- 
ner. Mr. Owen responded, thanking his friends for 
their respect, good will and support in carrying on 
the good work. The programme then was carried 
out in recitations, singing and debating, which all 
enjoyed. As usual, the ladies had come prepared 
to satisfy the most delicate epicure and proceeded 
to serve the crowd. After spending a few social 
hours, all left for their respective homes, feeling that 
the evening was well spent." 

The following is from the Belleville Recorder: 
" The Sabbath-School Institute at the Presby- 
terian church Saturday and Sabbath was a most 
flattering success. The attendance was large, the 
house being filled to its utmost capacity. The ad- 
dresses and papers as called for by the published 
programme were all forthcoming and were pro- 
nounced of a high order of merit. The sermons of 
Rev. Joseph Brown were extremely interesting and 
practical, and full of good suggestions to the young. 
The work performed by both himself and Rev. 
James M. Bain can hardly fail to produce good re- 
sults. The Sabbath morning session was devoted 
mostly to methods of making the Sabbath-Schools 
better and more attractive. There were many able 
papers. The afternoon session was devoted to 



yo SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

little people, and the attention which they paid to 
this service goes farther than words to tell that it 
was highly enjoyed, and was very beneficial to 
them. The closing session was taken up by the 
young people. There were many interesting facts 
presented at this service that should be utilized by 
both old and young. May the time speed on to 
the day when this village may enjoy another such 
rare treat as this Sabbath-School convention." 

II. A BLESSED DAY'S WORK. 

Marshfield, Wis., March 20th, 1896. — A day well 
spent in the mission field for the Master, brings with 
it a holy joy. Such a day was yesterday. At 9 
A. m. I started from Neillsville to visit the mission 
district of Pine Valley. The pastor of the Neills- 
ville church drove me two miles in order to facilitate 
the work of the day. I was enabled to visit twelve 
families of that district, with all of whom I had 
pleasant, loving converse. I left in their possession 
some of our missionary literature, which is always 
productive of good results. In all the missionaries' 
home-to-home visitations, the following grand 
words apply : " The loving toil of the Sabbath- 
School missionaries and the self-sacrifice of their 
lives make just the needed link that, alas, is so often 
lacking between the ungospeled and the gospel 
itself. They will not believe in God's love, unless 
they see it lived out and manifested in the hearts of 
those who give the message, and that in the most 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 7 1 

practical and uncontroversial way." Going amongst 
the people and taking them just as we find them 
and striving to do them all the good in our power, 
has a wonderful influence over their hearts and 
lives, and also over our own. 

I visited one home and found the father and 
mother absent ; on exploring further, however, I 
discovered them at the wood pile, engaged in saw- 
ing wood. I did not interrupt their work, but had 
an interesting talk with them, which they seemed 
to enjoy exceedingly. At the next house I visited, 
I found the good wife of the household busied in 
preparations for dinner. She apologized for her 
appearance (her clothing being covered with hay 
seed), saying that she had been assisting her hus- 
band in moving some hay. In the midst of the 
preparations for the noonday meal, I had a pleasant 
chat with the various members of the family, and 
was cordially invited to remain to dinner. This I 
gladly did, as I was feeling hungry from my long 
tramp (the presence of a few hay seeds in some of 
the dishes being no barrier to my enjoyment). 

A little further along I came to a house standing 
at a short distance from the road. When I entered 
I found only the wife and children present. I 
talked with them and invited them to come out to 
the evening service, and requested especially the 
attendance of the male members of the family. One 
of the men came in. He had never been known to 
attend a religious gathering in the history of the 



72 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

settlement. He was a most attentive listener, and 
only God knows what will be the result of his hear- 
ing the gospel message on that occasion. 

I went across the fields to the next dwelling. On 
my way I had to pass through several wire fences, 
which, by reason of past experiences, are always a 
terror to me, my clothes frequently bearing witness 
to their danger. I found the members of the family 
engaged at work in the clearing up of a field. I 
chatted with them for a time, commending them 
heartily on their endeavors to make success of their 
farm. These unconventional visits are always well 
received, and this one was no exception. A kindly 
invitation was extended me at parting to visit them 
at their home either by night or by day. 

I went to the little schoolhouse near by, addressed 
the children, and left a present with the teacher to 
give to the scholar who received a perfect mark for 
conduct during the day. Thus I went, from house 
to house, until I reached the chapel of the Prince 
of Peace, which had recently been erected. In the 
chapel I found ten mothers busily engaged in mak- 
ing a quilt, which was to be sold to purchase an 
organ for the Sabbath-School. Of these dear women 
with toil-hardened hands, it may well be said : 
" Silver and gold have they none, but such as they 
have they give." Here I rested for a short season. 
A neighbor kindly hitched up his team and drove 
me to the new settlement where I arranged to have 
a meeting in the near future and organize a Sab- 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 73 

bath-School. Then I returned to a home near the 
chapel, where I rested until time for the evening 
service, which was well attended by an appreciative 
audience. There being many young people pres- 
ent, I gave an address especially to them. As an 
evidence of their careful attention, I found that they 
were able to repeat the leading thoughts of the 
talk. 

Thus ended one day of work in the vineyard of 
the Master, the results of which are in his hands, 
and will be made manifest in the lives of the people. 
The faith of the Apostle is ours : No work done for 
the Master in a right spirit ever fails of blessed re- 
sults. This one day of labor is a fair example of 
the work done by all Sabbath -School missionaries 
in the needy fields of our country. 

III. A SPRING TOUR. 

Marshjield, Wis., May ist, 1896. — I went to 
Eagle last month to take part in the Sabbath- 
School Institute, superintended by the Rev. Henry 
L. Brown, and Mr. Lane, Sabbath-School mission- 
ary. Five services were held during Saturday and 
Sabbath, April 6th and 7th. Four Sabbath-Schools 
were represented, and a fine spirit of Christian unity 
prevailed. The addresses and papers were able 
and appropriate, and the blessings received were 
great. 

I went from Eagle to Waukesha and visited Mr. 
Forbes, the new Sabbath-School missionary. I had 



74 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

a pleasant conference with him as to future work. 
I visited Carroll College and addressed the students 
there, by special request. 

On the 9th, I went to Oshkosh to attend a meet- 
ing of Winnebago Presbytery. There are five 
Presbyteries in Wisconsin, and all of them hold 
their spring meetings during the month of April. 
As Synodical Sabbath-School missionary, it is my 
duty to attend as many of these meetings as pos- 
sible. It is good to keep in close and loving touch 
with the various pastors and elders, in order to keep 
them informed of the progress of the great work in 
which we are engaged. 

On the 1 2th, I went to West Salem to attend the 
Presbytery of La Crosse. I reached there on Fri- 
day in time to make an address on our work at the 
evening public meeting. The subject of the even- 
ing was " Missions." The audience was large and 
appreciative. I had a pleasant conference with the 
pastors and elders. Mr. Lane is the new mission- 
ary for the Presbytery, and at this meeting he was 
introduced to the brethren. His work is in a field 
which is truly " white unto harvest." 

On Sabbath, the 14th, it was my privilege to 
worship in the morning at the First Presbyterian 
Church of La Crosse and to teach the Bible class. 
In the afternoon I visited and took part in the Sab- 
bath-School service of the North mission school, 
and in the evening I did the same in Grace Sab- 
bath-School. There are three mission Sabbath- 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 75 

Schools in La Crosse, the results of mission work of 
the First and North churches. 

On the 17th and 18th, I attended the meeting of 
the Milwaukee Presbytery, at Racine, and the 
Presbyterian Christian Endeavor Union meeting — 
the latter being held in connection with the Presby- 
tery. I had the privilege of addressing the people 
three times. I felt much benefited by the many 
excellent papers and addresses, and by the profitable 
talks. At these meetings Mr. Forbes, our new 
missionary, got a fine introduction to many of the 
people. 

On the 20th and 21st, I labored with Mr. Bain at 
Deerfield, a mission station under the care of the 
Madison Presbyterian Church. Important work 
was done in this district, and steps were taken to 
build a mission chapel. The services held during 
our visit were well attended and much appreciated. 
May God bless the work so much needed and so 
hopefully begun ! 

I was unable to visit the Presbytery of Chippewa, 
on account of its meetings being held on the same 
days as the La Crosse Presbytery. Mr. E. S. 
Genung is the Sabbath-School missionary for this 
Presbytery and is doing grand work. He is ably 
assisted by all the brethren of the Presbytery. 

The Madison Presbytery met on the 23d, at 
Oregon. Owing to a combination of circum- 
stances, I was unable to be present, but our work 
had an able representative in the person of Mr. 



y6 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Bain. He has won the confidence and cooperation 
of all the pastors and is doing grand work for the 
cause of Christ among the many needy districts of 
his Presbytery. 

On April 25th I went to Fenwood, a new field. It 
is a sawmill district and has a population of about 
two hundred. They have two saloons, but no 
Christian agency to counteract the work which 
Satan has begun in their midst. Visited fourteen 
families and arranged for a service in the new 
schoolhouse. It was filled by an attentive and ap- 
preciative audience when the meeting was held. 
At the close of the service, a vote was taken in 
favor of organizing a Sabbath-School, but un- 
fortunately no one could be found who was willing 
to act as superintendent of the school so I had to 
be content with leaving lesson papers and cards 
among the families. 

On April 26th I visited Whiting's mill, another 
new field a few miles below Stevens Point, on the 
bank of the Wisconsin River. I was accompanied 
by Rev. E. P. Rankine, pastor of the Presbyterian 
church at Stevens Point. 

On April 27th and 28th I visited, in company with 
Mr. Rankine, the McGregor settlement in Waushara 
County, thirty miles below Stevens Point, to aid in 
the organization of a Presbyterian church at that 
place. The work was performed with many 
evidences of God's favor. The weather was fine 
and the services were well attended. The church 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE TJ 

was formed, with sixteen members. Two elders 
were ordained, and sacrament of the Lord's Supper 
was administered. It was a day to be remembered 
by all who were present, and will mark a new era 
in the life of the people of the district. May God's 
blessing continue to rest upon the work ! 

On April 30th I went to Free District in the town 
of Weston in the northwest part of Clark County. 
On my way to the place, in addition to house-to- 
house visitation, I paused at the schoolhouse where 
the children were at play and distributed some of 
our beautiful primary lesson cards. They promised 
to read them and learn the golden text. Their 
childish delight was pleasant to see. Every true 
Sabbath-School missionary is a firm believer in the 
beautiful words : " a little child shall lead them." 
I held a service in the Free schoolhouse and re- 
organized the Sabbath-School, to the great delight 
of parents and children. The school consists of 
four teachers and thirty children. 

Thus the seed has been sown during the past 
month. May it bring forth abundant fruit ! If we 
could only make known the intense needs of these 
people who are scattered over this broad state " like 
sheep without a shepherd," surely every heart and 
voice would be lifted in prayer, and every hand 
stretched out in hearty assistance. The days speed 
away and are soon months, the months are rapidly 
speeding into years, and thus our lives pass away. 
May we remember, one and all, God's command to 



78 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

" work while it is yet day, for the night cometh 
when no man can work." 



IV. TRIUMPHS OF SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN 
MARATHON COUNTY. 

June 8th, 1896. — In company with Mr. Strand, 
we set out on Friday morning, June 5th. Stopped 
for two hours at a place called Norrie, a small 
village in the woods. Some years ago we helped 
these people in their efforts to establish a " Char- 
acter Manufactory " in the shape of a Sabbath- 
School. Now they have also a church, and a 
Christian Endeavor Society. We visited five fam- 
ilies and cheered and encouraged them. This visit 
revived the old affection and brought sweet 
memories of a gracious past. 

We went ten miles farther to the village of 
Aniwa. Here the remainder of the day was spent 
in visitation. In the evening an interesting meet- 
ing was held in the schoolhouse ; it was attended 
by a goodly number of young people, all of whom 
seemed to appreciate the services. A Sabbath- 
School service is held, and also a weekly service 
every Friday evening. A Ladies' Aid Society has 
been formed and they are talking of having a little 
church building of their own. We promised to help 
them to help themselves in this noble purpose. We 
lodged for the night in a home in the great forest. 

At seven o'clock on Saturday morning we set 
out on our work of the day. For five miles our 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 79 

road was through the forest, in the direction of the 
Hogarty settlement. We visited the lonely homes 
of the few settlers to be found. Such house-to- 
house visitation is most blessed; on this occasion it 
was specially so. The people seemed to appreciate 
such visits so much. Heart response was earnest 
and beautiful, as was shown by the glint of the 
silent tear and the warm clasp of the hand. We 
reached the Hogarty settlement about the noonday 
hour. While there, we visited the families of the 
place, and put into their hands precious tracts. We 
did what we could to revive interest in Sabbath- 
School work. A request was made for occasional 
services. Among this handful of people, in the 
dense forest, twenty-four miles from the nearest 
church, there are a saloon and dancing hall. Only 
think of it! Such a place is in a desperate ex- 
tremity, and calls loudly to the people of God for 
help. Let it not call in vain ! 

We set out for the Johnston settlement, four miles 
farther, and stopped at a Norwegian's home in the 
forest for dinner. The dinner was not only good, 
but was given with grace and heartiness — but this 
is so everywhere. Reaching our destination, we ar- 
ranged to hold a cottage service in the home of Mr. 
McDonald. The meeting was a grand success. 
Twenty-eight persons were present, six of whom 
stood up, thus expressing their desire to become 
Christians. One man promised to look after the 
Sabbath-School work. 



80 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

We lodged for the night in the same house. We 
left on Sabbath morning at eight o'clock, making for 
the Knowles settlement, to be present at the Sab- 
bath-School and preaching services, which are held 
in the beautiful chapel every Sabbath. The serv- 
ice on this occasion was delightful. Many chubby 
faces graced the meeting, and there were also many 
parents. A grand work is done here, over sixty 
persons being present at the Sabbath-School and 
preaching service. Such a sight is worth going 
miles to see and to take part in. All honor to 
those who lend a helping hand in such blessed 
work! At 12:30 the meeting closed. We took 
dinner in an humble home near by. 

Our next point was Kelly, where we desired to 
be present at the Sabbath-School. We had seven 
miles to drive. As we went, we halted at the Sandy 
Sabbath-School house in order to see it — so grand 
in its humbleness. Here a Sabbath-School is held 
every Sabbath morning, and a service every Wed- 
nesday evening, the place being always filled. The 
Kelly chapel was reached before three o'clock. As 
we approached we saw the people neatly dressed, 
making their way to the house of God. How beau- 
tiful ; how grand ! And what a blessed Sabbath- 
School service ! Over one hundred persons were 
present to drink in the water of life as it was given 
from the pure fountain of God's Word. It was a 
blessed privilege to engage in such a service, in such 
a place, with such memories of noble work done. 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 8 1 

The service ended at five o'clock, after which we 
were driven to Wausau in the carriage of one of 
the humble workers from that church. 

Thus ended our mission trip of sixty miles, over 
fields all grandly helped by the pastors, elders and 
members of the Wausau Presbyterian Church. Nor 
is this all. There are three other fields on which 
they have laid a helping hand : Westside, Trapp 
City and Ribb Hill. At each of these places, a 
noble work is being done. We hope and pray that 
such work will be maintained and extended. 

The above description is not only honorable 
for the church concerned, but it is interesting and 
helpful, as showing forth the lines along which the 
needy and spiritually destitute are to be evangelized. 

V. NORTH LOWELL. 

May 5th, 1896. — The beautiful Presbyterian 
chapel in North Lowell was dedicated yesterday 
with appropriate ceremonies. For some years a 
mission Sabbath-School was carried on in this 
neighborhood, five miles south of Beaver Dam, in 
private houses and in the schoolhouse. By the 
liberality of Alfred Percival Smith, Esq., of Phila- 
delphia, $200.00 was given to the chapel to perpet- 
uate the memory of his deceased mother, who was 
a great lover of and worker in Sabbath-Schools. 
The new building will be known as the Cornelia 
Stanley Allen Smith Memorial Chapel. 

Seward Pendleton, of North Lowell, gave a 



82 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

pleasant site, and the people of the settlement and 
their friends, gave their money and labor to the ag- 
gregate of about $300. Joseph Brown, state Sab- 
bath-School missionary, preached three times on the 
Sabbath, and the Revs. R. K. Wharton and T. S. 
Johnson, of Beaver Dam, A. Woodhead, C. Plank, 
A. P. Lawrence, John Dumas, J. W. Ganes, of 
Lowell, Rudolph Edwards of Milwaukee, made 
brief addresses. A pleasing feature was the reading 
of an original poem by Mrs. Etta M. Dumas, which 
gave a description of the North Lowell Mission, 
which is under the care of the Assembly Presby- 
terian Church of Beaver Dam. 



THE SMITH MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 

BY ETTA M. DUMAS. 

" Sow the good seed ! " spake one whose voice the prophets heard 

of old ; 
His servants listening heard the voice, and saw without the fold 
Wide barren fields and treeless wastes waiting the sower's hand, 
So he, with song and prayer went forth and sowed throughout the 

land. 

And some seed by the wayside fell, and some on stony ground ; 
Some, falling where the ground was good, a surer foothold found, 
And yielded to the sower's hand a greater gain than gold — 
Some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundredfold. 

Right here a tiny Sabbath-School took root and slowly grew 
Through difficulties great and small, for helpers, strong and true, 
God sent to comfort and protect the plant his love had sown, 
His sleepless eye will ne'er neglect to guard and guide his own. 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 8$ 

" Sow the good seed ! " again went forth the Master's low com- 
mand; 

And one gave freely of his time, and one gave of his land ; 

And some gave gold, and some gave toil, with willing earnest 
hands, 

And lo ! an offering to God, this little chapel stands. 

About it, fancy almost sees the radiant, smiling one, 

Who gave more generously than all to aid us, through her son : 

The tried, true friend of Sabbath-Schools, we hold her memory 

dear; 
" She being dead, yet speaketh " words of happiness and cheer. 

Oh ! may we realize how great God's watchful care has been, 
And closer live to him each day, and other weak ones win. 
We know by these good gifts of his, we do not walk alone, 
For on our poor imperfect work his loving smile has shone. 

And many a one in after years may point to this, and say : 

" 'Twas there my Christian life began ; 'twas there I learned to 

pray." 
A higher word of praise than this no mortal tongue has told ; 
A sure reward laid up in heaven, more precious far than gold. 

And while we gather here to-day to praise, and pray, and sing, 
And dedicate this chapel to the service of our King, 
May we not hope that in that land that gave the impulse birth, 
The angels are rejoicing o'er this little spot of earth ? 

We may, indeed ! We know he smiles on all our labors here ; 
That work for Jesus, great or small, brings heaven very near. 
So let us bring more willing hands and greater faith and love, 
And serve him till he bids us come to dwell with him above. 



VI. TAKING POSSESSION. 

On the 30th of June, 1896, I entered a new field 
ten miles northeast of Black River Falls, and found 



84 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

a scattered settlement of mixed nationalities. In 
my visitations, I discovered that many of the par- 
ents could not speak English but that the children 
could — thanks to the work done in the little school- 
house near by. As I went from house to house, 
I was especially attracted to the children. In sev- 
eral cases, as I gave out the lesson papers, the little 
ones took them and read them in the hearing of 
their parents and myself, and this greatly delighted 
me. I learned that I was the first person who had 
ever visited the settlement with a view to planting a 
Christian organization. This being so, like the ex- 
plorers of new continents, I took possession of the 
settlement in the name of King Jesus, the Saviour 
of the world and the children's special Friend. I 
found the number of families to be about twenty- 
five. The center of the settlement was the post 
office. Finding that, at present, a Sabbath-School 
could not be organized, I resolved to form the set- 
tlement into a Home Sabbath-School. The post 
mistress readily agreed to distribute the necessary 
material. 

I left a package of lesson papers with each of the 
twenty-five households. This arrangement seemed 
to please them all, especially the children and young 
people. 

This day's experience shows in a striking man- 
ner, the simple yet important form in which good 
work may be done. No settlement need be left un- 
helped. The beginning of good may be like the 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE 85 

mustard seed, which, by the blessing of God, may 
grow into a wide-spreading tree. 

VII. SIXTEEN MILES ON A HAND-CAR. 

I am often asked, when about to speak on the 
subject of Sabbath-School mission work, to give, in 
my own way, a word picture of work done, with 
the lights and shadows of actual experience. 
Simple truth is often strange and interesting. 

I will give an account of three days' work done 
in the month of September. On Monday, Sep- 
tember 3d, a Sabbath-School Institute was held in 
the Dudley District. This, like all the others, was 
well attended and was a grand success. Rev. W. 
O. Carrier, of Wausau, and Mr. Mack, came to the 
Institute at noon, having traveled by rail and car- 
riages, a distance of thirty-four miles to be present 
and take part in the exercises. These were con- 
tinued till after four o'clock, at which hour the people 
began to make their way to their several homes. 
This was but the beginning of the three days' work, 
which had all been previously planned. 

The Institute over, a drive of ten miles was be- 
fore us, in order to reach Parrish, away in the dense 
forest, where a service was to be held in the school- 
house at 8 p. m. A halt was made at the home of 
a farmer, three miles from Parrish ; here we were 
hospitably received and entertained at supper. 
Our entertainers felt honored, as this was the first 
time a minister had ever been in their home, and 



86 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

they had been settled there for fourteen years ! 
After supper, we had a hard ride over very bad 
roads ; this, united to the darkness of the night, did 
not tend to make our journey a pleasant one. Con- 
trary to our expectations, we reached Parrish in 
safety, but thirty minutes behind time. The school- 
house was well filled and we had a grand service. 

On Tuesday morning we were up bright and 
early, ready for the work of the second day. Our 
destined point of work was Aniwa, nearly fifty miles 
distant. A difficulty faced us here : Parrish was 
sixteen miles from Pratt Junction, and this point we 
had to reach before 2 p. m. in order to catch the 
train for Aniwa. No convenient train left Parrish. 
There was one way out of the difficulty, and that 
was to use a railroad hand-car. This was kindly 
provided, and at 9:30 Mr. Carrier and myself 
mounted the car. Coats, vests and satchels placed 
on a board behind, we made our start amidst a 
chorus of hurrahs from the friends assembled to 
witness our departure. Up grade we found our 
work slow and hard, but down grade it was quick 
and easy. In this way we went through the forest 
and reached the Junction in good time for the train. 
Although perspiration streamed from every pore 
and our hands were blistered, yet we had a feeling 
of pleasure and satisfaction at the novel way in 
which we had traveled. 

We were kindly received at Aniwa, a Sabbath- 
School missionary station. In the evening a well 



FROM PLACE TO PLACE &? 

attended meeting was held. In truth it may be 
said the people heard us gladly, as well they might, 
these mission services being their only means of 
hearing the gospel. Truly the fields are white 
unto harvest, but the laborers are few. After a 
good night's rest we arose on Wednesday morning 
refreshed and ready for a day's mission work. Our 
point of work was Hogarty, where another Sabbath- 
School Institute was to be held. Our intention was 
to walk the five miles to this place, but our kind 
entertainers drove us over in a lumber wagon. The 
way was over new and poorly made roads and the 
jolting we experienced is better imagined than de- 
scribed. 

Stumps to the right of us, 
Stumps to the left of us, 
Stones in front of us, 

O'er which we thundered, 

As we rode on to duty. 

Hogarty was reached in good time. In addition 
to the assembled people of the settlement, we were 
joined by Mr. Mack, with a party from Wausau, 
they having driven eighteen miles. The service 
was a very helpful one, and was much appreciated 
by the people. Time, on such occasions, flies rap- 
idly, and the hour for our departure came all too 
soon. The friendly good-byes were spoken, and we 
joined the Wausau party for their homeward ride. 
Thus ended our three days' mission tour, leaving 
behind it a train of sunny memories. 



CHAPTER VIII 

AFTER TEN YEARS 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will 
give you rest. — Matt. 11:28. 

I. A Day in the Northwest. 

II. Out in the Highways and Hedges. 

III. Strenuous Work. 

IV. The Manifold Character of Sabbath- 

School Missionary Work. 
V. Sabbath-School Institutes. 
VI. The Messenger of Glad Tidings. 



I. A DAY IN THE NORTHWEST. 

March 5th, i8gy. — Left home this morning at 
two o'clock for Woodville to visit a missionary dis- 
trict in the Chippewa Presbytery, under the care of 
Charles Laws on. This was an early start on a 
winter morning, but duty called. That is to the 
earnest Sabbath-School missionary the voice of 
God — duty and blessing always go hand in hand. 

I had sweet thoughts given to me as I journeyed 
to my destination. These will be of use to me in 
future addresses. I found a fine text in Luke 3 : 2 
— " The word of God came unto John in the wilder 



AFTER TEN YEARS 89 

ness." Yes, this world is a wilderness to man in his 
natural state. Look at the figure a little while and 
draw from it some lessons that will be helpful. The 
coming of the " Word of God " to man is the 
dawning of a new life, in which new thoughts and 
purposes become the ruling factors of living. 

I reached Woodville at 9 : 30, and was met by 
Mr. Lawson. We had to wait an hour in the depot 
to get a train to take us to Spring Valley, a distance 
of fourteen miles in the interior of the country. 
The time was spent in profitable conversation. Mr. 
Lawson read an interesting letter from a lady, tell- 
ing of the good done by the Sabbath-School or- 
ganized in her district, and asking for an early visit 
and service. Such letters call for great work on the 
part of ministers and Sabbath-School missionaries. 
We reached Spring Valley, a town of 800 inhabi- 
tants, at one o'clock. It contains seven saloons and 
a Congregational church. We took dinner there. 
We then rode ten miles in a wagon sledge reach- 
ing our destination about three o'clock. We held 
a service in the evening and had a good meeting. 
What a field for Christian work is presented in our 
farming district ! So vast, so scattered, so needy ! 
A moving agency is needed to meet it. 

March 6th, i8gj. — We spent the night in the 
home of Mr. Young. A bright day, but the snow 
deep. We visited five families ; prayed with two of 
them. We held two services : one at two o'clock, 
the other at 7 : 30. Both good meetings, and the 



90 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Spirit manifestly present. The evening service was 
crowded. At the close, several men and women 
stood up, indicating their desire to be Christians. 
This is a fine field for religious work. 

Sabbath, March yth, i8gj. — This has been a 
stormy day, with six inches of snow. We held 
Sabbath-School and three other services — two at 
Rock Elm and one at Waverly. The hall at Rock 
Elm was crowded morning and evening with intelli- 
gent and appreciative audiences. There was evi- 
dence of good done at all of these meetings. It 
was cheering to hear the testimony of the changed 
lives of the people, especially of the young men 
and women ; and of their readiness to do good 
work. Indeed, the whole community has been 
awakened as never before in the history of the set- 
tlement. This is practical evidence of the good 
that is being done by Sabbath-School mission- 
aries. 

I found this missionary trip rather tough work, 
surrounded, as it was, with such wintry conditions. 
But here comes in the heroism of this Christlike 
work. As I looked over this field, originated by 
the planting and fostering of a great Sabbath- 
School, I was made to see and feel in an impressive 
manner its value. It opens wide doors for our 
Church to enter in ; it promises to possess the land ; 
it offers to Christian workers full opportunity to do 
their share in saving these scattered country dis- 
tricts for Christ. 



AFTER TEN YEARS 9 I 

II. OUT IN THE HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES. 

March 2jtJi, 1897. — I came to Westfield and vis- 
ited four families. The day was fine, and I met 
many on the street. I went to Harrisville in the 
evening and had a good meeting — forty being pres- 
ent. The night was not dark, our drive being 
lighted by the stars. It was eleven o'clock when 
we returned. 

March 28th. — The day fine, the sun shining. I 
held three services and spoke five times — three 
times in Westfield and twice at the Flats. I had 
good meetings with appreciative audiences. The 
evening service was crowded. 

March 29th. — I visited six families in Westfield. 
I left Westfield at 2 p. m. and drove eleven miles 
into the country. I called at six homes and left 
word about the meeting. I reached Spring Prairie 
District about 5 : 30 p. m. I lodged and had supper 
in a kind home. I went to the schoolhouse and 
had a good meeting. There were fifty persons 
present and they gave good attention. I presented 
the importance of a Sabbath-School. The one 
here was closed for the winter but it will be opened 
in a short time. The Rev. Mr. Griffith preaches 
here frequently. 

March joth. — I started out on a mission tour at 
9 A. M. I visited six families and drove six miles 
before halting at a kind home for dinner. The day 
was fine. I went to Buckhorn Prairie schoolhouse 
at 2 : 30 p. m. and held service there. Thirty-six 



92 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

people were present. We had a pleasant meeting 
and a Sabbath-School was organized. A resolution 
was formed to build a little chapel for Sabbath- 
School and preaching services ; and also to be used 
in other ways for the Christian elevation of the peo- 
ple. I shook hands heartily with the people, bid- 
ding them good-bye. This closed the first after- 
noon service ever held in that district. It was 
interesting to see men leaving their work and com- 
ing just as they were to the meeting. Five men, 
who were sawing wood with a machine driven by 
horse-power, came gladly to hear the Word of God 
preached. I drove seven miles through the woods 
to where another service was to be held. The 
meeting took place in the home of Louis Brooks at 
7 : 30 p. m. Forty persons were present. They had 
come from their farm homes for several miles 
around. All seemed to enjoy the sweet and simple 
service in the home. I was much impressed with 
the beauty and benefits that come from such meet- 
ings in such needy places. 

March jist. — The weather fine, but cold and 
windy. Sand, in great clouds, was blown about us. 
I had a drive of ten miles to the next station. I 
made four visits by the way, and took dinner at 
Mrs. Frank Pond's. I reached McGregor's at 3 p. m. 
Here I halted for the day, and was made to feel 
at home ; as is usual everywhere we go. Held 
service in the chapel at 7 : 30. Fifty persons were 
present notwithstanding the stormy weather and the 



AFTER TEN YEARS 93 

darkness of the night. The evening meeting was a 
memorable one, it being our first one here since the 
accident on the 5th of July last, which took place 
in this district. The chapel has been grandly im- 
proved by the people at considerable expense. It 
is a picture of neatness and comfort — a fit place for 
all kinds of meetings. In addition to these im- 
provements by the people, a handsome new pulpit 
adorns the platform and makes the whole a thing of 
beauty. This pulpit is a gift from Mr. Joseph 
Brown and his family as a thank-offering to God for 
his restoration to health and work again in the 
needy fields of Wisconsin. The presentation of the 
pulpit, by Mr. Brooks, took place in the first part 
of the service. Rev. J. H. Griffith offered up a 
solemn and appropriate thanksgiving prayer, after 
which the service was continued, and was highly 
appreciated by the people. 

Mr. Griffith has often ministered to these people 
and by his faithful labors has gained a warm place 
in their hearts. This chapel was the first Sabbath- 
School chapel erected in this state in connection 
with Presbyterian Sabbath-School mission work. 
The $100.00 given to help in its erection was from 
the Wenonah Sabbath-School of New Jersey. The 
example of the Wenonah School has since been 
nobly followed by many others, whose names will 
one day form a grand roll of honor. 

April 1st. — I started out on missionary duty again 
and made some visits, and then had dinner. When 



94 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

a missionary halts for dinner at a farm home, work 
is suspended for the time being that all may join in 
the conversation. I drove to Poolridge school- 
house, five miles from where I dined. Here a Sab- 
bath-School and other occasional services are held. 
That the people love such services was evident from 
the fact that nearly forty persons attended the meet- 
ing held at 2 : 30 p. m. The appreciation of the 
people was great. Though very poor, they are 
contemplating the erection of a small Sabbath- 
School chapel for the benefit of the district. Could 
the eyes of our Church have been turned to this 
meeting a wave of Christlike compassion would 
have been aroused as the deep needs of the people 
stood revealed. 

A drive of ten miles, and another service at 7 : 30 
p. m. at McGregor Wenonah Church, finished the 
work of the day. Thus ended six days of associ- 
ated work with Rev. J. H. Griffith away out among 
the highways and hedges. Every part of the work 
was a success, all being covered with rich blessings 
of Almighty God. 

III. STRENUOUS WORK. 

May 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1897, were spent in the mis- 
sion field extending from Aniwa to Schofield, in- 
cluding Hogarty, Johnston, Knowles and Kelly. 
At all these places a work of grace is being done 
under the fostering care of Mr. Strandt. The work 
is not alike in its development ; parts of it are bet- 



AFTER TEN YEARS 95 

ter than others. One thing I noted : wherever I 
found a Sabbath-School in good working order, 
there the best progress was seen. 

The work at Hogarty needs more Sabbath-School 
and preaching services. I took occasion to point 
out the need of more loyalty to the great Presbyte- 
rian Church, which had planted and fostered this 
blessed work, especially in relation to using its les- 
son helps and religious books. This I consider right 
and proper, and it can be easily accomplished if those 
in charge will guide the minds of the people along 
right lines. Such guidance is a blessing to the peo- 
ple and to the work, and is all the more necessary 
in view of the multitude of " claims and peculiar 
views or ideas " which are abroad, many of which 
are not favorable to our churches. 

My present visit to Aniwa was of special interest 
as it gave me the first sight of the new church build- 
ing, which is near completion. Sabbath-School and 
other services are already being held in it. This 
work has been grandly helped by the young peo- 
ple of the Second Presbyterian Church of Camden, 
N. J., and by one of the worthy elders of the North 
Broad Street Presbyterian Church, of Philadelphia. 
A grand effort will soon be made to finish the build- 
ing. When completed, it will be an honor to God 
and a blessing to the people. 

One result of this noble effort made by the Pres- 
byterians was to stir the Lutherans to duty. They 
said, " If such a small body of people can build a 



96 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

house for God, we, too, can do so." So they began 
the good work of building a church home. In this 
we have a tangible and beautiful illustration of 
" provoking to love and to good works." Hebrews 
io : 24. 

Monday, May 6th. — After getting a little rest, and 
having answered all letters, I again set out to do 
work in the needy fields of western Clark County. 
I went by train to Spokeville, and then walked eight 
miles to a mission field where a little chapel, twenty 
by thirty feet, is in course of erection. I called at 
the farm home of Mr. Haselett, whose wife is a 
grand Sabbath-School worker. I there learned that 
work on the chapel building would soon be taken 
up and pushed forwards to completion. 

Friday, May yth. — I started early, having a big 
day's work mapped out. One has to follow a pre- 
arranged plan to have good success in mission work. 
The day was fine and the roads fairly good. I 
went to the brick Sabbath-School mission in order 
to arrange for a service there on Sabbath at 3 
p. m., — this service to be preparatory to reorganizing 
the Sabbath-School. This school has been closed 
for nearly two years and no sermon in English has 
been delivered in the last eight months. This serv- 
ice arranged, I rested for dinner. After dinner I 
started to a new field twelve miles away. Halted at 
the Free settlement and arranged for service at 7:30. 
Reaching the Sprague District, the end of the set- 
tlement, I found seven families with no means of 



AFTER TEN YEARS 97 

grace. I was most kindly received and arranged 
to organize a Sabbath-School. The school-teacher 
and a young lady will take charge of it. The serv- 
ice in Free settlement was a grand one. The audi- 
ence was great and the interest deep. Eight months 
had passed since their last service. I arranged to 
get the Sabbath-School reorganized. Thus the day 
was finished. Miles traveled, twenty-four ; families 
visited, ten. Many picture cards and tracts were 
given to the people by the way, in the homes, and 
at the meeting. The seed was being sown broadcast. 
Saturday, May 8 th. — I started away early from the 
farmer's home, after being kindly entertained. The 
morning was refreshing, all nature being beautifully 
painted by the hand of God. I drove twelve miles 
to Hevvittsville, where I visited many families and 
made arrangements for service on the Sabbath at 

IOIOOA. M. 

Sabbath, May gth. — This was a busy and suc- 
cessful day. I drove twenty miles, and held three 
services, all of which were well attended and much 
appreciated. At two of the places they have had 
no service for eight months. The Sabbath-School 
was reorganized at the Black District and placed in 
charge of a fine young man. 

Wednesday, May 12th. — I paid a visit to Merrill 
and Wausau, and made calls at both places. In the 
evening I went with Mr. Carrier to his prayer meet- 
ing. We had a good meeting, and I spoke a few 
loving words. Brotherly love is sweet and helpful. 



gS SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Thursday, May ijth t — I went to the Free District 
with Mr. Hill, of Neillsville. We drove twenty-six 
miles. The schoolhouse was crowded and Mr. Hill 
preached a good sermon. At the close, the Sab- 
bath-School was reorganized, supplied with mate- 
rial, and put in good order. 

Saturday, May 15th. — I went to Nora and Deer- 
field, by invitation, to do a little fostering and en- 
couraging. At each of these places there were 
helpful meetings and good seemed to be done. 
The Sabbath-School is promising. In this field as 
well as in others, I am deeply impressed with the 
fact that our Church has a great work to do in 
bringing the gospel to the people in an earnest and 
loving manner. 

Wednesday ', May iptk. — I left home to attend the 
General Assembly at Eagle Lake, Ind. I halted at 
Milwaukee in order to give an address on Sabbath- 
School missionary work at the Emmanuel Presbyte- 
rian Church prayer meeting. This I did in response 
to the kind invitation of the pastor. The address was 
sympathetically received and warmed the hearts of 
the hearers to our great work. Noble words of ap- 
preciation were spoken by several who were present, 
all of which went to prove what the pastor said to 
me at the close of the meeting : " Your visit and 
address have done us all good." 

I reached the Assembly on Thursday. It was a 
privilege to enjoy the benefits of the meetings dur- 
ing the few days I was there. The public meeting 



AFTER TEN YEARS 99 

on Sabbath-School work, which took place on Fri- 
day night, May 2ist, was the principal object of my 
visit, as I had been asked to give an address on that 
occasion. I was associated with noble men as 
speakers ; we had a spirit-filled audience, and the 
meeting was one of memorable success. It was said, 
by one competent to judge, to have been one of the 
best meetings of the kind ever held. This, with the 
exchange of loving greetings from many of the dele- 
gates present, made another " sunny memory." 
Refreshed with this experience we hurried back to 
take up again our much-loved work. 

Saturday, May 29th. — I set out to-day to join Mr. 
Lawson in a missionary tour in a field in the Presby- 
tery of Chippewa. We held three services in Ca- 
dott — one on Saturday night, and two on the Sab- 
bath. At all of the services the audiences were 
large and the interest great. At the last service, a 
goodly number indicated their desire to become 
Christians. A great stimulus was given to the Sab- 
bath-School work so ably directed by Miss Delia 
Felch, under the guidance of the Rev. Mr. Waller, 
who preaches there every other Sabbath. 

Monday, May jist. — Mr. Lawson and myself set 
out early, with a good team, on a well-planned mis- 
sionary tour, to the regions beyond Cadott, easterly 
fifty miles. We visited six school districts and 
made numerous visits ; organized one Sabbath- 
School, reorganized another, and finished with a 
grand rally of the people at Estella schoolhouse on 



IOO SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Monday night, when over one hundred persons 
were gathered together from far and near. It was 
a memorable service in every way, and the people, 
out of loving hearts, gave a collection which more 
than paid the whole expense of the trip. 

It is gratifying to be able to report good work 
done over the state by the missionaries during the 
month of May, upwards of twenty Sabbath-Schools 
having been organized. 

IV. THE MANIFOLD CHARACTER OF SABBATH-SCHOOL 
MISSIONARY WORK. 

Wednesday, June 2d, i8gy. — I set out this morn- 
ing at 6:15 for Cedar Grove, in Sheboygan County. 
Our purpose was twofold : To give an address on 
Sabbath-School missionary work before the Presby- 
terian church, through the kind invitation of the 
pastor ; and to meet Mr. Wm. Thomson, our new 
Sabbath-School missionary for the Presbytery of 
Milwaukee, and conduct him to the fields within 
his bounds. Both of these objects were accom- 
plished. 

The people of Cedar Grove church expressed 
their interest in missions by a substantial contribu- 
tion of money to the Board. Mr. Thomson entered 
his field of labor after being commended to God in 
prayer. It was our privilege to have an extended 
conference with Dr. Roth on important matters in 
connection with the future work of our Church. 
The towns and regions along the lake show Pres- 



AFTER TEN YEARS IOI 

byterian work here and there only. This seems 
hardly as it should be, and should prompt to better 
effort in the future for the extension of our denom- 
ination. 

Saturday and Sabbath, June 5, 6. — These two 
days were spent with Mr. Mack at a grand Sabbath- 
School Institute held in the fine new church of 
Wausau, under the direction of Rev. W. O. Carrier, 
assisted by Messrs. Strandt and Hamilton, the two 
field workers of the Wausau Church. The meetings 
held were six in number, three each day. The 
papers and addresses were able and appropriate to 
the occasion. At all of the meetings the interest 
was great. On the Sabbath the audiences were large 
and composed of delegations from Sabbath-School 
mission fields extending to a distance of twenty- 
four miles. The fifth session of the Institute, which 
took place on Sabbath afternoon at 2:30, was one 
which will not soon be forgotten by those who were 
present. The delegates from each of the Sabbath- 
Schools presented reports, setting forth the wonder- 
ful benefits that have come to the people of each 
settlement. The facts were impressive and they 
were told with a beauty of expression and with a 
pathos that appealed to the hearts of the hearers 
and bedimmed the eyes of many with sympathetic 
tears. 

Tuesday, May 8 th. — I set out at 1:22 a. m. for 
Cambridge, on a visit to the Rev. Messrs. Bain and 
Woodhead, Sabbath-School missionaries. Halted 



102 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

at Cambridge to be present at the installation of the 
Rev. Mr. Breeze. Two services were held, one in 
the afternoon and one in the evening, both of which 
were of interest to the people. I was called upon 
to take part in each of the services. At the service 
in the afternoon, two addresses were delivered upon 
Sabbath-School missionary work, one by Rev. Mr. 
McNary, the other by myself. In this way our 
Sabbath-School cause was helped greatly. The 
Rev. Mr. Bill also spoke. He made a kind allusion 
to the work and gave an able address on the pastor 
as sent of God. 

Wednesday, May gth. — I went on to the mission 
district of Arlington, where I met Mr. Bain. A 
splendid meeting was held in the evening. The 
audience was large and the interest great. Out of 
loving hearts they gave a good collection for Sab- 
bath-School mission work. 

Early on Thursday morning, Mr. Bain and I 
parted for duty, after planning future work. I 
drove out into the country, made several visits, and 
then took the train for Beaver Dam. While at 
Beaver Dam I met Mr. Woodhead and conferred 
with him as to his work. He had planned for a 
meeting in the Lowell chapel, but, owing to rain, it 
did not take place. We were there, however, and 
had the pleasure of meeting the pastors of Beaver 
Dam, both of whom are ready to help in this blessed 
rescue work. 

Sunday, June ijth. — Sabbath last was a day of 



AFTER TEN YEARS 103 

days at the Nasonville Presbyterian Church. Chil- 
dren and parents turned out to celebrate Children's 
Day. The number and beauty of the audience were 
greater and grander than ever before. Over four 
hundred were present, in and around the church. 
The exercises were fine and were much enjoyed. 
The meeting was one of the best held and reflected 
great credit on all concerned. Addresses were de- 
livered by Messrs. Joseph Brown and Clark Mack. 
Ten dollars were given as a collection for Sabbath- 
School mission work. 

Monday, June 14th. — This was a day to be re- 
membered at Harper Mission Chapel, six miles 
from Colby. All labor was suspended, and parents 
and children turned out en masse to celebrate Chil- 
dren's Day. The people, to the number of one 
hundred and thirty sat down to a fine dinner in the 
shady forest near the chapel. At the head of the 
table was seated the Rev. Mr. Brickies, and on the 
right Joseph Brown and Charles Mack, who were 
present by special request, to take part in the beau- 
tiful exercises of the day. Looking down the table 
so bountifully filled and so finely surrounded by 
bright happy people, made one think of Pentecostal 
times when " they had all things in common." The 
company gathered in the chapel at three o'clock and 
a profitable service took place in which suitable ad- 
dresses were given. At the close, a collection of 
five dollars was given to the Sabbath-School mis- 
sion work of our Church. This ended another of 



104 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

these services that go to brighten and strengthen 
the whole life of a settlement. 

Sabbath, June 20th. — This was a day of extra 
hard work. I was on duty from 9 a. m. until 10:30 
p. m. At 10:00 A. m. I attended Children's Day 
service at Shortville. Some three hundred persons 
were present. It was a grand success. I drove ten 
miles to Dell's Dam in order to be present at the 
Children's Day service, which took place at 3 p. m. 
This service was notable in the completeness of the 
exercises, and in showing the knowledge of the 
Bible possessed by the scholars. Collections for 
Sabbath-School work were given at both places. I 
again drove eight miles to another service in the 
chapel of the " Prince of Peace," in Pine Valley. 
The chapel was filled with people from the scattered 
homes, hungry for the gospel. Thus ended a day 
of much blessing. 

June 22d, 23d and 24.th were days of important 
service and reception. They were spent at the 
grand Synodical Sabbath-School Institute at Fair- 
field, Iowa. The meetings held were seven in num- 
ber, and were pervaded by the spirit of God and 
blessed by the earnest and helpful addresses of men 
selected for the occasion. This gathering was a fine 
example of the hearty cooperation of all branches 
of our churches, the Sabbath-School mission work 
among them. This part of Christian work is being 
grandly done by Mr. Ferguson and his coworkers, 
supported by all the pastors in the Synod. From 



AFTER TEN YEARS 105 

what we saw and heard at this Institute, it is evi- 
dent that the Presbyterian host of the army of 
the Lord in Iowa, is a noble, loyal, and compact 
body. 

Sabbath, June 27th. — I attended a Children's 
Day service at Woodland Sabbath-School, a few 
miles from Marshfield. This Sabbath-School is 
composed of children of foreign extraction, who are 
there being taught of God. It was pleasing to see 
the progress that is being made. The whole service 
went to show the good that is being done in im- 
proving the habits and manners of those who at- 
tend. Though very poor, they gave a collection of 
$1.50 for Sabbath-School mission work. 

Monday, June 28th. — I went to Rural in order to 
be present at the Sabbath-School Institute at Wau- 
paca Lake, which was to take place the next day. 
On that day a fine rally of the people of Rural, 
Badger and Sheridan took place. The service 
lasted from 10:30 until six in the evening. This 
included the dinner hour, important in many ways 
and very helpful in binding communities together. 
In addition to the pastor and myself, Mr. Mack and 
Rev. C. Smith, of Oshkosh, were there to help, so 
that with singing, recitations, papers and addresses, 
the day was replete with blessing. The spiritual 
atmosphere of this Institute was like all the others 
held — of a very helpful kind, making all present feel 
that it was good to be there. 

Wednesday, June jot/i. — I made my way to Mil- 



106 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

waukee to meet Mr. Thomson, Sabbath-School 
missionary, there. I was pleased to learn that he 
had succeeded, with the help of some of the breth- 
ren, in organizing a Sabbath-School in a needy 
portion of the city, which by fostering care, may 
soon develop into a church and thus promote the 
highest good of that great city. It has been adopted 
by the Rev. Mr. Chapin and his church and will be 
a fine outlet to their Christian activities. I was 
privileged to speak at Perseverance Church prayer 
meeting that night, and I took occasion to com- 
mend and stimulate them to generous action in re- 
lation to their newly adopted work. They all 
seemed pleased. 

During the month of June seventeen Sabbath- 
Schools have been organized by our missionaries 
in this state. This means increased responsibilities 
on the part of our Church as well as increased 
blessings to the community. So, Lord, help all of 
us to do our duty faithfully, cheerfully and well. 

V. SABBATH-SCHOOL INSTITUTES. 

An interesting series of Sabbath-School Insti- 
tutes, beginning July 31st, and ending August 8th, 
1897, were arranged and superintended by Rev. 
James Bain, Sabbath-School missionary of the 
Madison Presbytery. The four Institutes which 
convened during that time were divided into thir- 
teen sessions ; praise and prayer, reading of papers 
bearing on the work of the Sabbath-School, ser- 



AFTER TEN YEARS IO7 

mons and addresses, combined to make each session 
instructive and helpful. 

The districts blessed by this means of grace were 
Deerfield, Verona, Rocky Run and Caledonia. 
Our hearts were cheered and encouraged by large 
and attentive audiences. As an evidence of the 
high appreciation of this branch of Sabbath-School 
mission work, the farmers residing in the various 
districts laid aside their harvesting in order to enjoy 
the privilege of attending the services ; and the 
general impression was that the blessings received 
were more than worthy of any self-denial they had 
made. 

In addition to the work of Mr. Bain and myself, 
ten neighboring pastors took part. Twenty Sab- 
bath-Schools were represented. 

Closely following upon the series of Institutes in 
Madison Presbytery came an interesting season of 
similar work in the Presbytery of Milwaukee. 
Three Institutes were held, lasting four days. The 
material contributed at each of these was of the 
highest order, and tended to stimulate and improve 
the work of the Sabbath-Schools. 

The places in which the Institutes convened were 
Horicon, Waupun and North Lowell. These serv- 
ices were attended by the inhabitants of the towns 
in which they were held and also by the people of 
the surrounding country districts ; an idea may be 
formed from this of the far-reaching good accom- 
plished. 



108 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Another interesting series of Institutes, continu- 
ing for four days, was held in Winnebago Presby- 
tery, superintended by Missionary Clark Mack. 
These, like the others, were a great success, large 
and interested audiences attending. Mr. Mack and 
myself were grandly aided by twelve pastors, and 
also by helpful prayers from teachers and superin- 
tendents. The Institutes were conducted in Coulter- 
ville, Dudley and McGregor. At Dudley the schol- 
ars from one of the Sabbath-Schools represented, 
astonished the audience by their excellent work in 
the Bible Memory Class. This is a part of the 
work of the Sabbath-School which is worthy of 
special attention, as there is a tendency in these 
times to depart from the grand old plan of commit- 
ting the Word of God to memory. The superin- 
tendent should insist that scholars memorize choice 
portions of the Scriptures and the Shorter Cate- 
chism ; by so doing, a solid foundation for the 
building of true Christian character will be laid in 
each young life. 

I left my home in Marshfield on the morning of 
August 24th, 1897, to spend six days in Sabbath- 
School Institute work within the boundary of 
Chippewa Presbytery; the work was planned and 
directed by Rev. Charles Lawson, missionary. 

The Institutes, five in number, were held in 
Knapp, Rock Elm, Emerald, Bateman's and Estella ; 
the services in the last place continuing for two 
days. Sixteen Sabbath-Schools participated in 



AFTER TEN YEARS IO9 

the benefits of these meetings ; also large num- 
bers of people who came from all parts of the 
settlements to enjoy the unusual privileges. The 
audience expressed their hearty appreciation of 
these meetings and evinced an earnest desire for 
more of this work. 

In concluding this blessed week of labor in the 
rural districts of this Presbytery, extending one 
hundred miles, the following deep impressions were 
made on my mind : 

First. — The large number of families who are 
fainting and scattered abroad, as sheep having no 
shepherd. 

Second. — The adaptability of Sabbath-School 
missionary work — as carried on by this Board of 
our Church, aided by the earnest prayers and efforts 
of pastors, elders and members — to the great needs 
of the people. 

Third. — The unexpressible blessings which Sab- 
bath-School missionaries' work has brought to many 
of these needy fields. This fact is strikingly em- 
phasized by personal testimony and by the changed 
condition and habits of the people. 

Fourth. — An urgent call from such fields comes 
to the Presbyterian Church to render increased 
help to " the perishing" in all needy places. The 
planting and helping of even one Sabbath-School 
in such districts is a privilege and honor of which 
any one may well be proud. 

The mission work in this state during the month 



IIO SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

of August was greater than any yet accomplished. 
I personally attended forty Institute meetings and 
delivered thirty-six addresses, most of them in the 
open groves of the beautiful woods of Wisconsin. 
Thus through the associated labors of missionaries, 
pastors and Sabbath-School workers, the good seed 
of truth has been sown in many hearts. 

VI. THE MESSENGER OF GLAD TIDINGS. 

Sabbath-School conventions in country districts 
have become a great means of grace, tending to 
improve the work done in the Sabbath-Schools, and 
to better the condition of the people. On Novem- 
ber 5th, 6th and 7th, 1897, the fourth annual Sab- 
bath-School convention of the Winchester district 
was held. All of the sessions were well attended, 
the last four crowded. The benefits received were 
great, and the people testified to their appreciation 
at the close of the convention. The services were 
grandly aided by Rev. Mr. Badger, of Stevens 
Point. His sermons will long be remembered by 
all who were privileged to hear them. Mr. Emer- 
son, of South Oshkosh, did efficient service. Mr. 
Sellers, of Winneconne, presided. Sabbath-School 
missionaries Rev. Joseph Brown and Clark Mack 
were present at all the services, ready to do their 
best to promote the success of the meetings. The 
exercises of the Sabbath-School were excellent and 
showed much earnest preparation. The material 
provision made for the people was splendid and re- 



AFTER TEN YEARS III 

fleeted finely the loving hearts of the kind enter- 
tainers. It was pleasant, indeed, at the close of the 
convention, to hear loving words spoken, and the 
hope expressed that next November another con- 
vention would be held. 



For the past ten days our work has been out in 
fields far from cities and railroads. In all such 
places these words of Scripture are very applicable : 
" Blessed are the feet of them that bring glad 
tidings." The planting of a Sabbath-School, with 
visitation and occasional preaching of the gospel, 
bring untold blessings to the people of such com- 
munities. 

I would like to describe the labor of one day as 
a sample of the rest. Let me take the trip to 
14 Shanty Town," a mission eighteen miles from 
Stevens Point. On stepping out of the train on 
the morning of November 9th, 1897, I was met by 
Rev. Jacob Patch, a well-known servant of the 
Master, aged eighty-two years. He was waiting 
with his team to convey me to the far-off field. 
The day was fine, and, in spite of bad roads, our 
pleasant converse made the journey seem short. 
At noon the district of Jordan was reached. There 
we halted and were kindly entertained at dinner. 
We stopped at a schoolhouse near by and made a 
short address to the scholars. Sabbath-School and 
preaching service are held in this little building. 
A drive of ten more miles brought us to Shanty 



112 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Town where we partook of supper. At 7 p. m. the 
schoolhouse was filled, about sixty persons being 
present, many coming long distances. We gave 
them two addresses, one for the children, the other 
for all. The service was much appreciated, and the 
meeting ended with a hearty hand-shake. The 
Sabbath-School grows grandly. Material for a 
Presbyterian chapel has been provided and willing 
hands will assist in its erection. The people are 
worthy of all that is being done for them ; they are 
willing to help themselves. All honor to " Fa- 
ther Patch," as the people lovingly call him, for 
his blessed labors. May God's blessing rest upon 
the noble work which is being done there ! 



I returned on the 15 th of November, 1897, from 
a long promised visit to the Waukesha Presbyterian 
Church. The pastor, Rev. J. G. Blue, kindly set 
aside the time for the presentation of the claims of 
the Sabbath-School work to his people in the con- 
gregation, Sabbath-School and Young People's So- 
ciety of Christian Endeavor. We had a fine meet- 
ing. I pray that the seed sown will bring forth 
abundant fruit. I had the privilege of addressing 
the Young Men's Christian Association also, at 
which meeting eighty young men were present. It 
did our hearts good to see the building so finely 
adapted to the work. I paid a visit to Carroll Col- 
lege, by the invitation of Professor Rankine, and 



AFTER TEN YEARS I 13 

was privileged to speak a few words to the students 
who number one hundred and ten. How inspiring 
to look into the faces of so many young men and 
women preparing for the battle of life ! After a 
pleasant drive with Mr. Blue around the beautiful 
city, my pleasant visit terminated. 



I reached home on November 22d, 1897, after a 
week of grand work in company with Rev. C. R. 
Lawson, missionary for Chippewa Presbytery. The 
meetings were held in Rock Elm and Waverly, in 
Pierce County. The sessions were crowded with an 
attentive and appreciative audience. The good 
seed of the Word was widely and earnestly sown 
in the faith, that, by the blessing of the Holy 
Spirit, abundant fruit would result. It may be 
interesting to state that during the week we made 
thirty visits, and were entertained in many homes. 
As we received the generous hospitality of the 
people, we try to give in return the blessings of the 
Christian missionary. Oh ! the manifold ways in 
which a missionary may impress communities for 
good and point them to Christ ! Two Christian 
Endeavor rallies were held during the week, both 
of which were much appreciated and will prove 
especially helpful to the people. Delegations were 
present from River Falls and from Ellsworth. Al- 
together it was a blessed week of service. It was 
interesting to hear the testimony of the people 



114 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

themselves regarding the blessings which had come 
to them since the planting of a Sabbath-School 
there over two years ago. They are now on the 
upward grade of better living and happier homes. 
It is our prayer that God will bless them in this 
noble struggle. 



CHAPTER IX 

IN CITY AND COUNTRY 

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave 
the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. — Neh. 8 : 8. 

I. Sabbath-Schools in Clusters. 

II. The Sabbath-School Outlook. 

III. Another Church Dedicated. 

IV. The Young Men Improved. 



i. sabbath-schools in clusters. 
June 2jd, 1898. — In Wisconsin we have often 
noted the fact that pine trees frequently grow in 
clusters of five or six — sometimes nine or ten. It 
is the same with the Sabbath-Schools ; they, too, 
are often found in clusters. I noted this as I 
traveled through Clark County a short time ago. 
I found fine clusters of schools here and there, 
beautiful to look upon, the fruitage of ten years' 
work. Here it is in a nosegay. Nearly all of them 
are alive and doing good work. They have been 
planted to stay for the good of the people. 
Twenty-two Sabbath-School organizations and ten 
preaching stations have grown out of these. Four 
mission chapels have been built and two Presby- 

115 



Il6 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

terian churches organized. It is impossible to 
estimate the number of those who have been 
helped through this blessed agency. A high value 
ought to be placed upon this part of the work. A 
mother recently said to me : " I thank you so much 
for your visit to my home." There was to me much 
meaning in these earnestly-spoken words. 

II. THE SABBATH-SCHOOL OUTLOOK. 

Milwaukee Presbytery has eleven counties within 
its bounds. The population of these counties is 
563,028 — 236,101 being in Milwaukee County. The 
Presbyterian Church has a membership of 4,270, 
and a Sabbath-School membership of 4,087. By 
multiplying the Church membership by five, gives 
21,350, being the number we can claim, as a 
Church, of the 563,028. This is a very small show- 
ing and is well fitted to awaken thought and prompt 
to action. Can we not do better ? We believe we 
can. The Sabbath-School work of our Church is 
an important factor that will grandly help to this end. 

The cities of Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan and 
Waukesha have already been laid out for Sabbath- 
School effort. In some of these important cities 
Sabbath-Schools have been planted by our mis- 
sionaries and are doing well, being grandly helped 
by our Church. Milwaukee is an important field of 
itself, and is well deserving of special effort along 
these lines. 

In some of the counties a number of Sabbath- 



IN CITY AND COUNTRY 117 

Schools have been planted and are doing good 
work — Dodge County having the greatest number. 
These having been grandly helped by the pastor and 
church of Beaver Dam. Other pastors and churches 
have also been very helpful in this noble and 
Christlike work. Indeed, we can say with truth 
that all of the pastors and churches are coming into 
line on this work ; this promises well for the future. 
With Mr. Samuel McComb, our able and devoted 
Sabbath-School missionary for the Milwaukee 
Presbytery, a new era of Sabbath-School work is 
begun. From what we know by personal survey of 
the field, we hesitate not to say that the field is 
rich in Sabbath-School ore. The children and 
youth of these counties, largely speaking a foreign 
tongue, are open, in a special degree, to Christian 
teaching, given in the English language. Changes 
in many ways are needed, and we hope the Presby- 
terian Church will be brave and heroic and, with 
God's help, do its part in the development of a new 
and noble manhood and womanhood. 

III. ANOTHER CHURCH DEDICATED. 

July 13th, 1898, was a great day in Badger, 
Portage County, the occasion being the dedication 
of the Lansdowne Badger Presbyterian Church. 
Three services were held during the day, at each of 
which the church was crowded. The church 
is twenty-four by thirty-six feet and is seated 
with fine chairs. The total cost was five hundred 



Il8 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

dollars. During the day the collections amounted 
to one hundred dollars, which paid all charges, and 
the church was dedicated to God's service free of 
debt. 

Rev. W. W. Henry, the pastor, presided. All of 
the services were of a high quality and were much 
appreciated by the hundreds present. Rev. L. C. 
Smith, Rev. Angus Sillars, Rev. Joseph Brown and 
Mr. Clark Mack participated in the grand day's serv- 
ices. 

A sumptuous dinner was provided for all in the 
shady wood near by. 

At the evening service special votes of thanks 
were given to the Sabbath-School and church 
of Lansdowne, Pa., for the gift of one hundred dol- 
lars and a pulpit Bible ; to Mrs. Gardner, of Spen- 
cer, for her gift of the pulpit; to Mrs. Fink, of 
Stevens Point, for the gift of two pulpit chairs ; 
to Mr. John Swan for the gift of the ground; and 
to all others who so kindly helped. 

Truly it was a day long to be remembered. The 
great crowds present at each of the services — at a 
time when work on the farms was so pressing — 
showed in a fine manner the hope and joy of the 
whole community far and near. The Christian ac- 
tivities of the people will be finely shown in the 
good use they will make of the new church. 

IV. THE YOUNG MEN IMPROVED. 

On Sabbath, October 17th, 1898, it was my privi- 



IN CITY AND COUNTRY 119 

lege to visit and to tell the story of the Sabbath- 
School mission work, to the First Presbyterian 
Church, of La Crosse. The audience was large and 
appreciative, and formed good ground on which to 
sow such seed. I also visited and addressed inter- 
ested audiences at all of the mission stations founded 
by the First Church, the work of which is superin- 
tended by devoted members of the mother church. 

The following Monday and Tuesday were spent 
in associated work with Mr. Campbell, of Lodi. 
On Monday evening we had the privilege of ad- 
dressing the members of the Christian Endeavor 
Society, who met in the parlors of their church. 
The visit was unexpected, and the talk was from 
heart to heart ; all felt that " it was good to be 
there." 

On Tuesday, Mr. Campbell accompanied me to 
the mission field of Okee, where we spent the after- 
noon. In the evening we held a service in the 
schoolhouse. The night was dark and lowering, 
yet the house was filled, upwards of eighty persons 
being present. A helpful service was given in 
which Mr. Campbell and myself took part. At 
these little meetings we had a fine illustration of the 
blessing that comes from a Sabbath-School and oc- 
casional preaching services. The people, when 
assembled, always conduct themselves with true 
dignity and decorum. As one of the men of the 
district said to me : " The young men now have 
self-respect, and feel that they are of some account, 



120 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

and can enter into fields of work of honor and re- 
sponsibility." This makes a new era in the life of 
many a farm boy. May God continue to prosper 
the work ! 

On Saturday, October 30th, I journeyed to Ash- 
land, where a fine new church is in process of 
erection. It will be a commodious and beautiful 
building when completed, and will afford pastor and 
people a fine means of meeting the Christian wants 
of the city. 

By the kind arrangement of the pastor, a good 
day's work was done on the following Sabbath. In 
the forenoon I addressed the congregation and 
members of the Sabbath-School. The attendance 
was good and the interest great. In the afternoon 
we visited and addressed the Bethel Mission Sab- 
bath-School. In the closing address to the evening 
congregation I endeavored to give some graphic 
pictures of the Sabbath-School mission work as it 
is being done by our Church all over this great 
state. 

The pastor, in a few well chosen words at the 
close of the service, said that the results of this visit 
would lead to more earnest prayer for, and in- 
creased interest in, this important branch of our 
Church's work. 



CHAPTER X 

" COME OVER AND HELP US " 

Search the scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life 
and they are they which testify of me. — John j : jg. 

I. A Macedonian Call. 

II. Africa or America. 

III. Among The New Settlers. 

IV. The Sabbath-School Institute an Im- 

portant Feature. 



I. A MACEDONIAN CALL. 

Sunday morning, March ijth, 1899. — Mr. James 
M. Bain and I rode along the banks of the Wis- 
consin, with forest, river and many small islands so 
enveloped in ice and snow as to resemble the Klon- 
dyke regions. The first six miles we passed but one 
habitation, and this so grotesque and primitive as to 
suggest a hunter's hut on Hudson Bay. This fam- 
ily of seven children, attended neither public church 
nor Sabbath-School. Some of the children could 
neither read nor write. 

When we reached the site of the former village of 
Dekorra, now merely a thickly settled rural district, 
we found the people crowding into the spacious 

121 



122 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

public school building to hear their first sermon of 
the season, and so hungry for the Word that they 
expressed great joy when we promised to return on 
the following Tuesday evening for another service. 
We then went to District No. 7, five miles south, 
and were followed by so many from the place of the 
morning services that the schoolhouse was uncom- 
fortably packed. Here the same earnest desire for 
a continuation of the meetings was expressed and 
we arranged to hold two more, visiting during the 
day. We also tried to see what could be done by 
way of building a chapel for the worship of God. 
Monday morning early we began house-to-house calls 
which revealed many heartrending instances of lack 
of Christian training and home comforts here and 
there among a thrifty, moral, intelligent class of 
people. We found three families, aggregating 
thirty-one children, and one of these was in a log 
house fifty years old. Although sleighs were still 
being used, the youngest of ten children, thinly clad 
and with one foot bare, was out among the cattle 
and sheep. 

The home of a motherless family of seven, — the 
father being given to drink, and with no one to 
counsel or protect the elder girls entering woman- 
hood, — was the rendezvous of many reckless young 
people during the Sabbath. 

On the afternoon of the same day we entered the 
adjoining school district where we found thirty chil- 
dren and youth who would attend Sabbath-School 



"COME OVER AND HELP US " 123 

if we could organize one ; they had never enjoyed 
such a blessing. To our dismay, one of the school 
board refused to give permission to use the school- 
house, and there being no other available place, we 
were helpless to meet the mothers' appeal for " some- 
thing to save their children from prevailing vices." 

The severest storm of the season set in near 
night, and continued with wind, sleet and snow for 
three days, yet in spite of all, the people turned out 
in good numbers and after the close of the Wednes- 
day evening gospel service a business meeting con- 
vened which resulted in a unanimous vote to build a 
chapel in District No. 7, one that could also accom- 
modate the neighborhood where we were denied 
the schoolhouse. A building committee was ap- 
pointed to take charge of the matter and the sub- 
scription list was headed by $100.00, — the contribu- 
tion of a Christian Endeavor Society in Phila- 
delphia. This chapel will be seven miles from the 
nearest village, Poynette, and the center of a large 
rural district without any public means of grace, 
stretching from Portage to Lodi, twenty miles. 

Thursday morning was still stormy. We drove 
twelve miles through swollen streams, ponds of 
water and blockaded roads — caused by sleet freez- 
ing to limbs of trees, bending them to the ground — 
yet with grateful hearts because of what the Lord had 
wrought, not only in completed arrangements for a 
chapel but also because we were going to open a Sab- 
bath-School in the two districts where we had held 



124 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

meetings, with some prospects of another chapel in 
the so-called village of Dekorra. 

Macedonian calls for Christian help and personal 
work were never greater. We most earnestly so- 
licit the continued cooperation of God's people in 
this work of possessing the land for Christ and his 
Church. 

II. AFRICA OR AMERICA. 

Man works under limitations ; he can only do one 
thing at a time, and be in one place at a time. A 
life full of planned work passes with great rapidity ; 
a month is as a week, and a week a day. Such are 
my thoughts as I review the work of the first 
quarter of the year 1899. During these past three 
months I have traveled five thousand miles, visited 
one hundred and sixty-seven families, delivered 
seventy-seven addresses, visited eleven Sabbath- 
Schools, and reorganized two; held two Sabbath- 
School Institutes, and, in addition, have packed a 
number of missionary boxes for distribution, and 
kept up a large correspondence. 

As the first six weeks of the quarter were spent 
in presenting the claims of our work to the churches 
in the East, it gives me pleasure to state that my 
efforts were greatly blessed of God, as the following 
quotation from one of the letters received after my 
return will show : 

" I was so impressed with your sermon about 
your experiences in the far West I made up my 



"COME OVER AND HELP US 125 

mind that if I were able I would send you some 
money. So the Holy Spirit has been, time and 
again, reminding me of my desire and purpose, and 
I write now to find out where I can send you $5.00 
so that you may receive the money safely, and 
make it a blessing." 

This is but one of the many letters I have re- 
ceived, expressive of interest in the work. 

The last weeks of the quarter have been spent in 
the country districts of the state. During this period 
of labor, much that is interesting and suggestive has 
taken place. In confirmation of this, let me describe 
a three days' mission tour with missionary Samuel 
McComb to the district in and around Milwaukee. 

We reached that city early on the morning of 
March 24th, 1899. At ten o'clock we made our 
way to Jones Island. We were rowed across the 
river, by one of the fishermen, and after landing, 
amidst snow, mud and water, we walked along a 
narrow lane. When we were fairly on the Island I 
paused to look around and view the scene. 
" Where are we, in Africa or America ! " I exclaimed. 
Such a cluster of poor humanity cooped up in so 
little space, was touching to behold. But a Sab- 
bath-School and preaching service had been planted 
here and it was in connection with these we came. 
A little mission chapel is needed at once in order 
that good work may be done. Money for this pur- 
pose has been contributed by a generous Presbyte- 
rian church in Philadelphia and is ready for use 



126 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

whenever the necessary steps for building shall be 
taken. There is no time for delay in this matter as 
the needs are so great. 

March 25 th and 26th we spent in visitation and 
service in the West Park, outside the city limits, 
commonly called " Silver City." In the work that 
needs to be done, and which is now being done in 
this place, we find a proof of the grandeur of the la- 
bors of a Sabbath-School missionary. The place is 
wisely chosen and the time is opportune for great 
work ; the people are here in great numbers and in 
terribly needy spiritual condition. But the work is 
going on apace ; already the Sabbath-School num- 
bers over one hundred scholars, a preaching service 
is held every Sabbath evening, and a sewing school 
of one hundred members every Saturday afternoon. 
The meetings are held in a dancing hall which has 
been rented and kept sacred for this work. But the 
lease expires next July, and the man who owns the 
building refuses to rent it again for this purpose. 
Clearly a chapel is needed here, and we are praying 
that we may be divinely guided in the matter. 

Grand work is also being done in the " Faith " 
Mission Sabbath-School, which is fostered by one 
of the city churches. 

I would need the pen of a ready writer to record 
all the incidents of interest, but I must not fail to 
notice my last mission trip to Chippewa County, 
which began on the last day of March and contin- 
ued to the third day of April. During this trip we 



"COME OVER AND HELP US " 1 27 

drove over seventy miles, with two feet of snow all 
around ; the visit was fruitful and did much to help 
the people to resume their Sabbath-School and be- 
gin a series of cottage prayer meetings. 

In conclusion, let me say that my long service 
in the survey of the conditions of rural Wisconsin 
impresses me with a sense of the need of more 
Christian effort in order to develop a higher stand- 
ard of manhood and womanhood. This is the de- 
sign of Christianity and the work of the Church. 

III. AMONG THE NEW SETTLERS. 

May 4-th, 1899. — I explored a district to-day in 
Wood County which had never before been visited 
by a Christian worker. At 9:30 A. M. I stepped out 
of the train at the little town of Auburndale and 
walked down the railroad track for one mile and a 
quarter, where I reached the road which led into 
this hitherto unexplored district. I found it a fairly 
good farming country, but as yet thinly settled. 
The events of the day were intensely interesting 
and memorable, and worthy of record as being a 
fair example of the labors of a Sabbath-School mis- 
sionary and his experiences in house-to-house vis- 
itations. 

Visit No. 1. — On going up to this home I found 
the father in the barnyard. I introduced myself 
and told him the nature of my work. We had a 
pleasant conversation. The husband said they were 
Lutherans. He had a wife and three little ones and 



128 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

said he would like some good reading for them. I 
gave him a supply from the capacious satchel, which 
is the boon companion of every Sabbath-School 
missionary. The papers and booklets were received 
most thankfully, and we parted with the mutual 
hope of meeting again. 

Visit No. 2. — In this farmhouse I found the 
parents and five children. The mother received 
me kindly and bade me be seated when I made 
known the purpose of my visit. After a little talk, 
I left them some good reading matter, which was 
received with apparent delight. Thus the seed was 
sown in that little dwelling. 

Visit No. j. — At this home I found a solitary 
man, a Frenchman, and a strange character he 
seemed to be. Wife and children had all gone 
from him, and he worked alone on the little farm. 
He told me he had a son who went to the war in 
Cuba and died there. Upon speaking to him on 
the subject nearest my heart, I found him to be of 
the large number of those who are " without God 
and without hope in the world." After a few 
earnest words, I left him with the silent prayer that 
light would come to his darkened heart. 

Visit No. 4. — This was the home of a new 
settler, the house standing in the midst of trees on 
a small piece of cleared land. The dwellers were a 
young couple with one child. I also met the sister 
of the young wife, a new settler in a home across 
the road ; she had a husband and five children. I 



" COME OVER AND HELP US I 2Q, 

had a good visit and found them in hearty sympathy 
with the work. I left with them a supply of lesson 
papers and good literature, and bade them good-bye 
with a hopeful heart. 

Visit No. 5. — This was another new settler's 
home, somewhat more pretentious than the last, 
standing in the midst of the great forest. Here I 
found an aged widow and her son ; the mother re- 
ceived me graciously in her way but she was a Ger- 
man and could not speak much English, though she 
had been forty years in America. Her son is a 
promising young man, and will be a great helper 
in the work I hope to begin in the district. 

Visit No. 6. — This was another new settler's 
home, with conditions much like the others of the 
same class, but this was the brightest and most as- 
piring of all the families visited during the day. 
The household consisted of father and mother and 
four bright children. After I had introduced my- 
self and stated the purpose of my visit, the parents 
expressed their joy that a Sabbath-School mis- 
sionary had at last come to their settlement to help 
in the work of the organization of a Sabbath- 
School. From the nature of my reception and the 
character of the conversation, it dawned upon me 
that this home was to be the center of effort in 
seeking to hold a meeting and then to organize a 
Sabbath-School. Plans were at once made ; the 
meeting to be held, if possible, on Monday evening, 
May 7th, in the new schoolhouse of the district. 



130 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

To obtain permission to use the building for that 
purpose, it was necessary for me to visit the three 
school directors, which I afterwards did. It was now 
near the noon hour, and I received a cordial invita- 
tion to stay to dinner, which I very gladly accepted. 
While the meal was being prepared, the husband 
and I visited the schoolhouse near by where I was 
permitted to address the children. I gave each of 
them a picture card. I found the teacher in hearty 
sympathy with the proposed organization of a Sab- 
bath-School. After a hearty midday meal, and 
with the kindly words of these good friends ringing 
in my ears, I set out, with a cheerful heart, to make 
other visits. 

Visit No. 7. — This was a new home alone among 
the trees, where I found a young couple and one 
child. The mother was bright and happy and re- 
ceived my visit with pleasure. She expressed her 
joy at the prospect of having some Christian agency 
in their midst. She had recently come from a city 
of considerable size and had known the blessings 
and benefits of church and Sabbath-School. 

Visit No. 8. — This was to the best improved 
farm in the district. The household consisting of 
husband and wife and four children. They were 
Catholics, and the father was a member of the 
school board. I had been informed that his con- 
sent to get the schoolhouse would settle the matter, 
so after some conversation I introduced the subject, 
and was delighted to obtain his cordial consent. 



"COME OVER AND HELP US 131 

Visits Nos p, 10. — Two houses stood side by 
side across the mill creek, which was two feet deep ; 
there was no bridge, and in order to reach these 
homes I had to step across on the trunk of a tree 
about six inches in diameter. With the aid of a 
pole, I reached the other side in safety, and visited 
both families. I found them like many of the 
others, happy in the prospect of having meetings 
and Sabbath-School. 

Thus ends the exact record of one day's work 
for the Master, in the accomplishment of which I 
walked ten miles, and completed the round of vis- 
itations as the sun was sinking to rest. Though 
somewhat weary in body, the spirit within me was 
renewed in strength as I rejoiced in the belief that an 
important step had been taken to bring into oper- 
ation agencies which would bring numberless bless- 
ings to the hearts and homes of the people I had 
visited during the day. 

May ot/i, 1890. — I am glad to add that on Mon- 
day, May 7th, a meeting was held in the district 
and a Sabbath-School organized, which was placed 
under the kind benefaction of the Grace Sabbath- 
School of Camden, New Jersey. 

IV. THE SABBATH-SCHOOL INSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT 
FEATURE. 

[ From The Presbyterian. ] 
Sabbath-School missionary work is progressing 
in Wisconsin and some of the best out-of-door as- 



132 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

semblies of the summer have been where the 
neighboring schools have rallied in some convenient 
grove, and held an open air meeting all day, with 
an intermission at noon for a picnic dinner. The 
Rev. Joseph Brown, the Synodical Sabbath-School 
missionary, calls them his Sabbath-School Institutes, 
and during August he presided over eleven of these 
large assemblies. He has a wonderful faculty of 
interesting the parents as well as the children, and 
thrilling them with the importance of doing their 
duty and serving the Lord. These Institutes are 
the leading events in many remote settlements and 
often the entire communities turn out to hear the 
Word of the Lord, and renew their covenant in his 
service. 

The northern part of Wisconsin, after many 
years of waiting, is now rapidly settling up, and 
sturdy men are found who go into the forests of the 
Chippewa and the Wisconsin Rivers and hew them 
out a home. There is hard work and it is slow, 
but in due time there will be smooth fields and gar- 
dens and happy-hearted children will play. Mean- 
while the Sabbath-School missionary organizes his 
school and teaches them to fear God and keep his 
commandments, and lays the foundation of the 
future church and a larger work for God. 



CHAPTER XI 

RIPENING FIELDS 

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, 
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith 
which is in Christ Jesus. — 2 Tim. j : ij. 

I. A Memorable Trip. 

II. It Looks Like a Miracle. 

III. The Well-Worn Bible. 

IV. A Red Letter Day. 



I. A MEMORABLE TRIP. 

In concluding one of my Sabbath-School mis- 
sionary addresses, before the congregation of the 
Presbyterian Church at Lansdowne, Pa., in the 
month of January, 1900, I said, " How my heart 
would be rejoiced if one of the pastors of our large 
churches would come and spend his vacation season 
with me and lend a helping hand in our Sabbath- 
School Institutes held in the beautiful forests of 
Wisconsin. We would take good care of him and 
send him back in fine shape for his winter's work." 
Rev. William Boyd, pastor of the Lansdowne 
Church, accepted the invitation. He spent the fol- 
lowing August with me in Wisconsin. I met him 
at Chicago and brought him, by way of Milwaukee, 
to Cambria, where the work was begun, in concert 

133 



134 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

with Rev. James Bain, who had arranged for the 
first meetings in his Presbytery of Madison. 

The following is a quotation from the printed 
notes of Mr. Bain, relative to the work done in his 
field: — 

" A week was spent in perfecting arrangements for 
a series of Sabbath-School Institutes to extend in an 
unbroken chain throughout the Presbytery, a distance 
of seventy-five miles. August ist, 1900, in company 
with Rev. Joseph Brown, and the Rev. Wm. Boyd, a 
busy pastor of an important suburb of Philadelphia, 
who volunteered to spend his vacation with the mis- 
sionaries of Wisconsin, we participated in the first 
one of the season in Taylor Park, Cambria. The 
pastor, who is also the Presbyterial chairman of the 
work, associated in all our plans. Rev. R. M. Wil- 
liams had every arrangement completed, with a 
strong programme enriched with local talent from 
his own young people. He struck a high key of 
excellence that was maintained in each succeeding 
Institute to the pleasure and profit of all, especially 
those engaged in Sabbath-School work. August 
3d, fully two hundred persons assembled on Penin- 
sula Resort, Dekorra, and so deeply interesting 
were the exercises that people for many miles tar- 
ried so long that another luncheon was spread on 
the rustic tables overlooking the majestic Wiscon- 
sin. All retired stimulated with holy ambitions for 
more consecrated work of the Master. 

" August 4th and 5th, igoo. — We held forth in 



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RIPENING FIELDS 135 

Poynette, all churches of the village and vicinity 
giving way for the Institute, making an assembly 
at the four sessions estimated at three hundred. 

" August yth. — We were in Owen's Glen, Cale- 
donia. There was a large audience assembled with 
the characteristic dignity, grace and deep spiritu- 
ality that has always been maintained. 

" August gth. — Midway between Prairie du Sac 
and Baraboo in Pine Hollow, in a gorge extending 
half a mile into the semi-mountain range surround- 
ing Spirit Lake, Sabbath-School scholars and peo- 
ple, covering a territory ten miles square, gathered 
to the number of two hundred. Sabbath-School 
banners, flags and bunting, with a well-dressed peo- 
ple engaged in the Lord's service in the presence 
of wild, graphic scenery, deepened impressions of 
God's majesty and love. 

" August ioth. — With a select party on the sum- 
mit of Gibraltar Rock we worshiped God, and in the 
evening, in the village of Okee, we held a service 
with a packed audience eager to hear the gospel 
message. 

" August nth. — We held forth in Belleville in the 
Presbyterian Church, also Sabbath morning, the 
1 2th ; then a twelve-mile drive to Verona Scotch 
Church, and in the evening in the village three 
miles distant. So interested were the people that 
many followed from place to place, riding home 
eight and ten miles in the rain after the evening 
service. 



I36 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

" August iftk. — The two brethren went on to Mil- 
waukee Presbytery, leaving me for work in Sauk 
County, but we were together again on the 17th in 
a great Institute, including the villages of Westfield 
and Packwaukee, in the village of Oxford. At this 
meeting there were six pastors and four mission- 
aries. This was my last day with Mr. Boyd, who 
endeared himself to all who met him and listened 
to his soul-inspiring addresses. He returned to his 
pastorate after delivering twenty-five addresses, with 
the ' God bless and reward you for your works and 
labors of love,' going out to him from his thousands 
of newly made friends in Wisconsin." 

From Oxford Mr. Boyd and I went forward to 
the McGregor settlement, where five splendid Sab- 
bath-School Institutes were held, attended by large 
congregations of people who were greatly blessed. 
In memory of this visit, one of the classes in Mr. 
Boyd's Sabbath-School sent a silver communion set 
to the little congregation, which will always be kept 
in loving remembrance. 

From Hancock we went forward to Marshfield, 
and spent a season of sweet communion in the 
home so dear to my heart ; then forward to Wausau 
to visit its many mission fields. In company with 
Rev. W. O. Carrier, D. D., and a large number of 
his good people, we had a fine Sabbath-School In- 
stitute near the banks of the Eau Plaine River, 
which was also a grand success. We then drove 
around and saw the other mission stations, and 



RIPENING FIELDS 137 

spent a delightful evening in the home of Dr. Car- 
rier, and after a sweetly solemn season of prayer 
took our departure for Duluth, spending the next 
day in viewing the sights of that city. At 5 p. m. I 
saw Mr. Boyd safely on board the steamer which 
was to take him to Buffalo, on his way home. 
Truly God blessed his visit to many districts and 
people, and he in turn was blessed in body and in 
spirit. As we parted, he said, " I shall never forget 
this memorable trip to Wisconsin, the grandeur of 
the work, the kindness of the people, the goodness 
of God ; all this has made an impression upon me 
which never can be forgotten." 

II. IT LOOKS LIKE A MIRACLE. 

" It looks like a miracle." So said a lady at the 
dedicatory services of the little chapel at Redcliffe, 
a needy field situated a few miles from Bayfield, 
Wisconsin. 

It is just a year since Missionary Terry, of Chip- 
pewa Presbytery, and his wife organized the Sab- 
bath-School at Redcliffe, and under the wise care of 
Mrs. Terry the school accomplished splendid work. 
All the meetings were convened in a private home, 
there being no public building for the purpose. 
One month ago, the people, stimulated by Mission- 
ary Terry, resolved to erect a little chapel for their 
Sabbath-School and other services, and they set to 
work at once to accomplish their desire. Truly 
they must have been inspired by the message of the 



138 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

great Apostle, who said, " This one thing I do," for 
in a brief space of time a neat little chapel was 
erected at a cost of $200.00, all paid for by the 
people, with a little aid from a few friends. 

November i8th, 1900. — It was my pleasure and 
privilege to visit Redcliffe and to participate in the 
dedicatory services in company with Rev. Mr. 
Breckenridge of Bayfield and Missionary Terry; 
the two services held were splendidly attended ; 
the exercises by the Sabbath-School prepared by 
Mrs. Terry won the admiration of all present. The 
scholars are especially to be commended for their 
memorization of so many portions of God's Word. 

While waiting for evening service, Mr. and Mrs. 
Terry and I were finely entertained in the large 
sawmill boarding house on the banks of Lake Su- 
perior. This portion of the day was in hearty 
accord with the pioneer character of our Sabbath- 
School missionary work. Truly it may be said that 
" there was joy " in that little settlement on that 
day. A company of twelve ladies, who drove out 
from Bayfield, lent much aid in the services. 

And so another little house of the Lord has been 
erected in the " highways and hedges," and from 
the seed sown we expect an abundant harvest. 

III. THE WELL-WORN BIBLE. 

April 23d, 1 go 1. — I visited to-day a district 
called the Ebbe settlement, in the northern part of 
Wood County. The place consists of a school- 



RIPENING FIELDS 139 

house, a sawmill, and a few farmhouses. In the 
school I found an enrollment of fifteen scholars with 
ten present. By permission of the teacher, I ad- 
dressed the scholars, and gave them picture cards 
and papers. The place had never before been vis- 
ited by any Christian agency. I asked the scholars 
if they would like to have a Sabbath-School, and, 
with beaming faces, they all raised their hands. I 
next visited the homes of the people, and in every 
instance was heartily welcomed. I took dinner in 
the home of the oldest settler, and found that he 
and his family had been hidden away in these 
woods for thirteen years. The mother showed me 
a well-worn Bible and told me of the comfort she 
derived from it. Before I took my departure, an 
agreement was made for the organization of a 
Sabbath-School. 

The advent of a Sabbath-School in such places is 
the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness. Such visits 
as I have described are the initial steps in this work 
which are being taken in multitudes of places with 
the happiest results. The sowing of the seed is 
soon followed by abundant harvests. 

On a certain Thanksgiving day I left a little 
family party at home to catch a train which was to 
take me within seventeen miles of a place where 
the opening services of a mission chapel were to be 
held. It snowed all the way, and after a drive of 
three hours we came to the new chapel standing 
among the remains of forest trees, with a small hill 



140 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

as a background. It was the product of the humble 
efforts of humble people whose children had been 
gathered into one of our mission Sabbath-Schools. 
We held services there for three days. The school 
has progressed finely. The chapel is the only 
semblance of Protestant Christianity for twenty 
miles around. 

IV. A RED LETTER DAY. 

Sabbath, October 20th, ipoi, was a red letter day 
for the Presbyterian Church of Wausau. It was 
the first harvest home festival held under the new 
pastor, Dr. Wilson. Ample arrangements had been 
made for the occasion, provision for " men and 
beast " being on a liberal scale. The weather was 
all that could be desired and the attendance of dele- 
gates and people was large. The church was taste- 
fully decorated ; also special music was rendered in 
fine style. The services of the day were three in 
number, presided over by the pastor. In the fore- 
noon the sermon was preached by the Rev. L. C. 
Smith, Synodical Home missionary for the state. 
This sermon was one of great practical utility, 
sounding a suitable keynote for the services of the 
day. The afternoon service was a memorable one. 
On the platform were seated the church's own 
missionary workers, three in number, one of whom 
was from the foreign field (Africa) ; and, in addi- 
tion, there were delegates from sixteen mission 
fields from the surrounding country, extending a 



RIPENING FIELDS I4I 

distance of twenty-four miles from the church. 
The following mission stations were represented : 

Aniwa, Heights, West Side, Hogarty, Brokaw, 
Edgar, Johnston, S.chofield, Fenwood, Knowles, 
Kelly, Stratford, Sandy, Ribb, Trappe and Hull. 

All of these were developments of Presbyterian 
Sabbath-School mission work, fostered and cared 
for by the pastor and devoted members of the 
Wausau Church during the past thirteen years, 
with the help of the Sabbath-School missionaries. 

The sight presented was an object lesson full of 
guidance and comfort, helping to solve the great 
problem of how best to meet the deep spiritual 
needs of our agricultural population in this and 
other states. The service opened with an address 
of welcome by the pastor, giving expression to the 
deep affection existing between the church and the 
mission fields. This was followed by a graphic 
" word picture " address by Rev. Joseph Brown, 
Synodical Sabbath-School missionary for the state. 
The address of Rev. F. G. Knauer, of Bantanza, 
West Africa, was most interesting and suggestive. 
Then followed stories of work done by field-workers 
and superintendents of the sixteen Sabbath-Schools 
represented, all of which formed a picture of the 
working forces of Christianity grand to behold and 
worthy of being remembered. 

Every arrangement for the entertainment of the 
numerous visitors was made by the kindly people 
of the Wausau Church. Each service was per- 



142 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

fectly planned ; altogether, it was a day to be re- 
membered by all who were privileged to be present. 
Its common experiences bound all as one family, 
and right heartily did every one join in the closing 
hymn : — 

" Blest be the tie that binds 

Our hearts in Christian love ; 
The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above." 



CHAPTER XII 

TOURING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT VIEWING THE 
RESULTS 

Now the parable is this : The seed is the word of God. — Luke 
8: ii. 

I. A Week With Our Superintendent. 

II. Meetings Held in a Planing Mill. 

III. Edgar. 

IV. Stratford. 

V. Two Chapels Dedicated on One Sabbath. 
VI. In the Lumber Camps. 



I. A WEEK WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT. 

One of the greatest factors stimulating to an in- 
telligent spiritual type of Christian life and effort, 
has been the Monona Lake Assembly, through its 
normal class work and devotional services, con- 
ducted by the Rev. James A. Worden, D. D., who 
was also for twelve years conductor of the Assembly. 

The entire state has been represented year by 
year, permeating even remotest rural neighborhoods 
with fresh, vigorous methods, along preparatory, 
pedagogic and evangelistic lines, thus telling 
mightily for Christ and the Church. 

143 



144 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

The Monona Assembly closed August 2d, 1901. 
All arrangements, the results of two weeks of hard 
work, being completed, we hastened with Dr. Wor- 
den through the forest and across several streams, 
to the site of our first midsummer Institute, on a 
peninsula formed by Rocky Run Creek and the 
Wisconsin River. Here the people gathered, to the 
number of three hundred, including all the mission 
schools from Portage to Lodi, a distance of 
seventeen miles, the region being without a single 
church. God's blessing upon our efforts in this 
territory, however, gives the assurance that a chapel 
will be dedicated the coming fall, encouraged by the 
generous gift of the Bryn Mawr Sabbath-School, 
near Philadelphia. 

After the usual services of prayer and praise, and 
addresses of welcome and response, Dr. Worden, in 
an able gospel awakening address, struck a high 
note of spirituality. It was well maintained through- 
out and gave inspiration to each succeeding gather- 
ing. His afternoon address on " Decision " left 
never-to-be-forgotten impressions that will doubtless 
lead many to decide for Christ. At the dinner 
hour a rustic table sixty-five feet long was spread 
under the elms and maples ; there were also many 
groups dining here and there in the friendly shade 
on the river's bank. 

August 4th, we crossed the Wisconsin and Bara- 
boo Rivers, over the semi-mountain road, to Owen's 
Glen, where willing hands had erected large plat- 



VIEWING THE RESULTS 1 45 

forms for speakers and choir decorated with Sab- 
bath-School banners and national colors ; also plank 
seatings for several hundred. Here fully four hun- 
dred people, including twelve Sabbath-Schools, en- 
joyed an all-day banquet of spiritual blessings, the 
varied programme culminating in a sermon delivered 
by Dr. Worden. 

August 5 t/i, i go i. — We were driven across valleys 
and over hills for twenty miles to Gibraltar Rock, six 
hundred and thirty-five feet above the great lakes, 
one of the most commanding views in the state. 
Upon its summit one hundred people gathered for 
an afternoon of gospel conference. All felt the 
presence and power of the Master, a " mount of 
transfiguration" experience that will be felt in en- 
larged work, in surrounding valleys for perishing 
souls. 

August 6th. — Another three hundred awaited us 
in Lodi Park, overlooking the town of twelve hun- 
dred. The good pastor, Rev. G. C. Lamb, who 
accompanied us the day previous, with his es- 
teemed elder, Mr. H. Palmer and full staff of willing 
helpers, had everything in readiness for the usual 
two services of from two to three hours each. 
Local talent is drawn upon always — one hour each 
afternoon being devoted to the reading of papers by 
teachers, brief addresses by superintendents, and 
recitations by youth and children. Mr. Lamb, on 
parting, said with feeling: " My dear Dr. Worden, 
you have been a blessing to my people ; my min- 



I46 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

istry will be made more effectual by your strong 
fearless messages in love's language." 

The following day we took the train north, tarry- 
ing a few hours at Devil's Lake, a body of clear 
spring water one and one-half miles long by one- 
quarter mile wide, two hundred feet above the 
valley, and enclosed in a granite setting rising in 
majestic grandeur five hundred and thirty feet above 
the sparkling waters. 

We were driven over this granite range down its 
rocky northern slope to Sauk Prairie, a veritable 
fairy land showing hundreds of well-to-do farmers' 
residences, dotted here and there with our mission 
schools, forty of which were reached during these 
two days. This speaks volumes of God's blessing 
upon Sabbath-School mission work. 

In Pine Hollow Canyon, running into the range 
a distance of one-half a mile, with rocky walls on 
either side, five hundred people, representing a ru- 
ral section of one hundred and fifty-six square miles, 
tarried a whole day in communion with God and 
each other. The Rev. W. J. Turner cut short his 
vacation to be with us here. He rendered splendid 
service. This was our last Institute together, and 
the parting was expressive of true Christian friend- 
ship. The services had been a blessing to the hun- 
dreds of homes and thousands of people to whom 
worship in a public sanctuary is a rarity. 

The good wishes and earnest prayers of the peo- 
ple covering the large rural territory reached by our 



VIEWING THE RESULTS 1 47 

beloved Dr. Worden, will ever follow him in the 
great work and labor of love to which he has been 
called. The hope is in many hearts that in the near 
future the missionary tour will be repeated. 

Cheered and stimulated by these blessed associa- 
tions in the name of our adored Lord and Master, 
we go forward carrying the " glad tidings of great 
joy " to the masses yet unreached. 

II. MEETINGS HELD IN A PLANING MILL. 

On June 27th, 28th and 29th, 1902, it was my 
privilege and pleasure to visit, in company with 
Messrs. Murphy and Terry, the Sabbath-School 
mission fields in and around the City of Phillips, 
Northern Wisconsin. The three days' mission work 
was memorable in many ways. The visit to these 
fields only tended to deepen our compassion for the 
sheep and lambs having no shepherd, many of whom 
seemed tired and broken down. In trying to meet 
this need the Presbyterian Church, with its staff of 
Sabbath-School missionaries, deserves well of the 
people at large and of its own members in par- 
ticular. 

Let me try to give a bird's-eye view of the grand 
work that is being done for the good of the people 
in these new and needy settlements. Within a 
radius of twelve miles around Phillips we have four 
Sabbath-Schools in operation, all of which have 
been put under the care of Rev. S. H. Murphy, the 
pastor of the Presbyterian church of Phillips. 



I48 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

They are all in needy places, with many children 
and young people waiting for instructions and train- 
ing in the knowledge of the Word of God. The 
persons selected as Sabbath-School teachers are 
doing their best, their labors being supplemented 
by help from Phillips, and the occasional visits of 
the Sabbath-School missionaries. 

During our cooperative visit on the dates men- 
tioned above, nine addresses were given to large 
and interested audiences. Were it not for such 
work these people would be left destitute of all pub- 
lic means of grace. Such work is often done under 
difficulties, as the following facts will show : One of 
the Sabbath-Schools and several of the meetings 
were held in a planing mill fitted up temporarily for 
the purpose. It was impressive to see and to take 
part in a meeting held in such a place. The meet- 
ing had a weird aspect as one looked into the faces 
of those present amid the dim light of the two lan- 
terns hung up on the post. Fifty persons were 
present, drawn from scattered and lonely homes. 
We were impressed by this as the house where we 
took supper was in the heart of the forest with only 
a few acres cleared. While at supper we saw a 
neighbor who came a quarter of a mile for drinking 
water as he had no well of his own as yet, being so 
poor he could not afford such a necessity. Truly, 
" Truth is stranger than fiction." Much prayer and 
effort are needed to help these fields in their trying 
circumstances. Efforts are being made to build two 



VIEWING THE RESULTS 1 49 

chapels — one in Georgetown, the other in New 
Chicago. 

III. EDGAR. 

Sunday, November 2/j.th, 1902, was a day long to 
be remembered by the people of Edgar. On that 
day a neat and commodious chapel was dedicated 
to the worship and service of God. The chapel is 
40 by 26 feet in size and cost $955.00. This is the 
fruitage of a Sabbath-School started several years 
ago, and kept going by a few faithful women. This 
is now one of the three preaching stations on the 
line between Wausau and Marshfield, which are 
under the care of the Presbyterian Church. The 
dedication services were three in number, lasting all 
the day and were much appreciated by the large 
audiences in attendance. Rev. S. N. Wilson, D. D., 
of Wausau, who was accompanied by two of his 
elders, Messrs. Stone and Gates, presided on the 
occasion, and was assisted by Rev. C. C. Hamilton 
of Nasonville, Rev. Joseph Brown of Marshfield, 
Synodical Sabbath-School missionary for Wiscon- 
sin, Mr. Rimmer, pastor, and Samuel Martin, Sab- 
bath-School missionary. The services were all 
helpful and well calculated to promote the better- 
ment of the people. The sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper was celebrated during the afternoon when 
five members were added to the church. During 
the day's services, the sum of $238.00 was given to- 
ward an indebtedness of about $400.00. All things 



150 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

considered, this was noble, indeed, and reflected 
great credit upon the people. At the evening serv- 
ice, a standing vote of thanks was given to Mrs. W. 
D. Connor of Marshfield, for her gift of chairs for 
the church, and to all others who have in any way- 
lent help in this noble work. 

IV. STRATFORD. 

The dedication of the First Presbyterian Church 
took place on Tuesday. The services were two in 
number ; one being held in the afternoon and the 
other in the evening. At both services the church 
was well filled by people of the town and neighbor- 
hood, with two large outside delegations ; one was 
from Wausau of eighteen persons, headed by Rev. 
S. N. Wilson, Rev. James Wilson, of Merrill, Elder 
Stone, of Wausau, and fifteen others. The one 
from Marshfield was headed by the Rev. J. Frank 
Young, Rev. Joseph Brown, Elder Adam Long and 
fifteen others, all of whom were deeply interested in 
the work. It was pleasing to note the substantial 
aid given by Mr. W. D. Connor, who contributed 
dollar for dollar subscribed toward the erection of 
the church. The edifice is beautiful in its design 
and commodious in its arrangements. It is a grand 
addition to the village of Stratford and reflects great 
credit on all who lent a hand in its construction. 
This work was begun eight years ago by the hold- 
ing of services and the organization of a Sabbath- 
School by the Rev. Joseph Brown. The work has 



VIEWING THE RESULTS I 5 I 

been helped by many visits of Christian workers 
and by the pastor from Marshfield, and grandly 
completed by the Rev. K. Knudson, the pastor in 
charge. The visitors were well entertained and 
supper was served in the Woodmen Hall by the 
Ladies' Aid Society. The sermons were able and 
interesting and seemed to be well appreciated by all 
present. The church cost #1,700, and has an in- 
debtedness of only #300. On Tuesday the collec- 
tions amounted to #100.00. 

V. TWO CHAPELS DEDICATED ON ONE SABBATH. 

Sabbath, November ijt/i, igoj } was a day long to 
be remembered by the people in the districts of 
Little Elk and Little Chicago. At each place a 
neat and commodious Presbyterian chapel was dedi- 
cated. The services at Little Elk began at 2 : 30 
p. m., at which time the chapel was filled with an 
appreciative audience. The Rev. Mr. Mead pre- 
sided ; the sermon was delivered by Rev. Mr. 
Benson, of Phillips, and was appropriate to the oc- 
casion. Suitable Scripture was read by pastor and 
people and the dedicatory prayer was offered by 
Rev. Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. 
The chapel was dedicated free of debt. Mr. Brown 
promised to procure an organ. The people were 
filled with joy and hope. A deputation of mem- 
bers of the Phillips church was present and added 
much to the success of the meeting. The blessing 
of God was manifestly present. 



152 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

After an interval of two hours and a drive of five 
miles, the second dedicatory service took place. 
The chapel of Little Chicago was also filled by in- 
terested people. The Rev. Mr. Mead presided. 
The sermon, on this occasion, was delivered by Mr. 
Brown who took for his text, " He loveth our na- 
tion and he hath built us a synagogue." Luke 7:5. 
Mr. Mead offered the dedicatory prayer. Mr. 
Brown, in congratulating the people on the happy 
events of the day, promised to aid them in their 
services. Both pastor and people were much en- 
couraged for their future work. Votes of thanks 
were joyfully given to all who had aided in the 
erection of these chapels. A collection of eight 
dollars was given by the two churches to the Sab- 
bath-School Board of our Church for its kind aid. 

VI. IN THE LUMBER CAMPS. 

I took the train for Laona Junction, and reached 
that point at ten o'clock. Here I boarded the 
company's train for Laona. On my way down, I 
passed two camps in full working order. Laona I 
found to be a great lumbering center which pre- 
sents a fine illustration of what good business abil- 
ity, money and labor combined can accomplish. I 
was told that the firm employs upwards of six hun- 
dred men and has ten camps in operation for the 
winter. The plant is a fine one and the houses are 
numerous and comfortable, lending an air of pros- 
perity to the place. I was most kindly received and 



VIEWING THE RESULTS 153 

most generously entertained by the people. Our 
Church has a Sabbath-School there and an oc- 
casional preaching service, and the people are nobly 
preparing to build a chapel in the spring. I held 
three services on the Sabbath, all of which were 
well attended. It was a joy for me to be there. 

I met many pleasant people, who are working 
together to make Laona a clean and desirable 
town, in which it will be a pleasure for them to 
live. I was also told that the R. Connor Company 
had work there for the coming twenty-five years, 
which is an added incentive to make this a model 
town. 



CHAPTER XIII 

RETROSPECT 

The great agency of the twentieth century for bringing to Christ 
the neglected children is the Sabbath-School. It is the strong arm 
stretched forth to uplift little ones who else would have no helper. 
— Franklin L. Sheppard. 

I. Summary. 
II. A Meditation. 



I. SUMMARY. 

From July 15th, 1888 ', to July 5th, 1903. — Hav- 
ing reached the fifteenth anniversary of the day 
upon which I began my labors as a Sabbath-School 
missionary in the state of Wisconsin, it seems but 
fitting and proper that I take a brief, retrospective 
view of these years, and summarize the work which 
has been accomplished through the blessing and 
guidance of the Master in whose Name and for 
whose sake, these years of service have been spent. 

I was appointed to this great branch of our 
Church's work on July 5th, 1888. Here I quote the 
facts concerning my appointment in the words of 
another. 

" It was about this time, 1888, that the Sabbath- 
School mission work of the Presbyterian Board of 
154 



RETROSPECT 155 

Publication was inaugurated, and a wealthy Presby- 
terian in the vicinity of Philadelphia immediately 
became interested in the movement. He gener- 
ously offered to provide the means for the support 
of a missionary to be stationed in Wisconsin, if the 
proper man could be found. Mr. Brown was 
recommended as a man of wide experience in 
Christian work, and well fitted for the position. At 
first he was reluctant about leaving the East where 
he had made many friends, and going to the far 
West where all were strangers. Yet it seemed that 
this was the great work for which God had been 
preparing him all these years. The Board was of 
the opinion that he was just the man for the place, 
and that he must be secured. 

" Consequently he was commissioned to the Pres- 
bytery of Winnebago, and started to his field of 
labor on July 5th, 1888, he being the first permanent 
Presbyterian Sabbath-School missionary in Wis- 
consin." 

On the 9th of July, 1888, I reached Stevens 
Point and reported to the Rev. Walter Frame 
(now deceased) who was at that time pastor of the 
Presbyterian church of that city. He greeted me 
most cordially and gave me my first instructions as 
to the manner in which my work was to be per- 
formed ; standing before the map of Wisconsin, 
with pencil in hand, he sketched my pathway from 
Stevens Point to Ashland, across to West Superior, 
thence down by Spooner to Chippewa Falls and 



156 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Eau Claire, and back again to Stevens Point by- 
way of Abbotsford, saying as he did so : " Stop at 
all the stations along these lines, go out into the 
country homes to the right and left, find out the 
needs of the people, do what you can to meet 
them, and then report to us. Personally we pas- 
tors do not know the spiritual needs of these coun- 
try regions. Do your best, organize as many Sab- 
bath-Schools as you can, hold gospel meetings in 
the homes of the people and in schoolhouses ; do 
all this in humble dependence upon God, and may 
his richest blessing rest upon you." Down through 
the years echo the memorable words of this good 
friend, whose instructions I endeavored, and still en- 
deavor, to follow. 

In the month of November, 1893, I was pro- 
moted to the position of Synodical Sabbath-School 
missionary, which position I still hold, my field of 
labor including the entire state. 

A short time after this promotion, I was, by 
special request of many of the pastors, ordained to 
the sacred office of the ministry by the Presbytery 
of Winnebago, with delegations from the other 
presbyteries. 

This great honor, I most heartily appreciated, ac- 
cepting it as a token of especial approval of the 
work which God had so abundantly blessed. 

During the past twelve years, for a few weeks in 
the depths of each winter, I have been accorded 
the great privilege of visiting a large number of our 



RETROSPECT 157 

churches in Chicago and in the East, especially in 
Philadelphia and vicinity, for the purpose of giving 
graphic " word-pictures " of Sabbath-School mis- 
sion work in Wisconsin. By the blessing and 
guidance of God this branch of labor has been most 
useful, deepening the interest of the people, and 
causing an increase in the contributions of the 
churches and Sabbath-Schools. 

It has also been my great privilege during the 
past seven years to attend the meetings of the Gen- 
eral Assembly of our Church and to address that 
honorable body in the interest of the work so dear 
to my heart. Such privileges, while laden with 
great responsibility, have in them also an element of 
rich reward. 

As I review the record of these fifteen years of 
service in the mission field, and as I feel the third 
and iast division of my life's work now tinged with 
the western glow of the setting sun, there rise be- 
fore my view three great mountain-tops, pleasant to 
behold, and to cherish as dear memories ; these 
represent the constant goodness and care of Al- 
mighty God which have followed me all the days of 
my life ; the patience and loving kindness of my 
dear brother missionaries, pastors, people, and the 
members of our Board in Philadelphia; and the 
gracious hospitality of the people among whom I 
have labored and in whose homes I have ever been 
treated as an honored guest. I bow in thankful- 
ness before these mountain heights of blessings, and 



I58 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

in my heart there is a deep gratitude which words 
can but faintly express. 

Through this great and important work many 
young minds have been brought under the influence 
of the Word of God ; many homes have been vis- 
ited and truth deposited there ; many services have 
been held, attended by large numbers of people, 
old and young. 

All these means of grace have been afforded to 
people in districts hitherto spiritually destitute 
in the majority of cases. Such work, done in 
faith, accompanied by the prayers of many of 
God's children, and followed with his blessing, 
must, of divine necessity, be productive of much 
good to individuals, families and communities. 
Duty is ours, results are God's. Believing this, I 
have done my work in hope, having confidence in 
God, who reigns supreme over all, and who has 
formed gracious purposes toward the sinful children 
of men. 

Streaks of light frequently flash- across my path 
to encourage me to more earnest and faithful efforts. 
The difficulties and greatness of the work make 
one feel the great need of the Holy Spirit ; nothing 
but the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the 
means of grace is able to subdue and change the 
hearts, lives and manners of young and old. 

The cause of Christ, the highest good of man, 
and the future welfare of this country demand the 
continued efforts and prayers of all God's people. 



RETROSPECT 159 

The Sabbath-School mission work ought to lie 
very near the hearts of American Christian people, 
seeing that they have been called to undertake a 
work unequaled in the history of the world, namely 
the evangelization of the vast number of people 
coming from all the nations of the world to make 
this their permanent home. 

II. A MEDITATION — AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS OF PRES- 
BYTERIAN SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONARY WORK IN 
WISCONSIN. 

Fifteen years of Sabbath -School work done in 
the " highways and hedges " of Wisconsin afford 
means and opportunities of reaching a fair estimate 
of its usefulness. The Sabbath-School missionary 
is commissioned not only to do certain kinds of 
missionary work, but it is also his duty, as a true 
worker, to collect and formulate truths bearing upon 
the work which it is important for the Church to 
know. Long and loving service in such work en- 
kindles thoughts and gives birth to opinions, which 
it is his duty to state for the future guidance and 
consideration of our Church. Prompted by such 
thoughts it seems wise and expedient that I should 
make the following statements as the result of my 
long and practical labors in the mission field : 

I. We are of the opinion that the Presbyterian 
Church acted wisely in formulating and taking up 
Sabbath-School mission work, as it has done dur- 
ing the past ten years. Results have proven it to 



l6o SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

be meritorious in all its parts, forming a necessary 
and much-needed part of aggressive church work, 
adapted to meet the deep needs of the vast coun- 
try regions of the different states. This deep need 
forms God's call to his Church, to go and do the 
work as best it can. The Church that does this 
work enkindles kindly thoughts toward itself and 
prepares the people, not only to come to Jesus, but 
also to place themselves under the care of such a 
Church. Sabbath-School missionary work has been 
a most prolific source from which Presbyterian 
churches have grown during the past fifteen years. 

II. From what we have seen and heard during 
the past fifteen years, we believe that the Sabbath- 
School missionary work of the Presbyterian Church 
has brought the blessings of salvation to the hearts 
and the homes of many of the people of Wiscon- 
sin. It is now difficult to travel far into the interior 
of many of our counties without coming across 
persons and communities so blessed. The good can 
be seen in the lives and homes of the people, so 
changed and brightened have they become. As 
one of the results of this, the love and kindness 
that are shown to the Sabbath-School missionary 
never fail. The country part of our missions is 
without expense, it being always met by the people 
among whom we labor. What a boon such work 
must have been to these people, prompting them to 
rise to the height of such practical fruit-bearing ! 

III. It has been proven that the Sabbath-School 



RETROSPECT l6l 

organized and helped by a neighboring church, suc- 
ceeds best. This is natural and reasonable, and, we 
should like to add, beautiful. Where such help has 
been given, the results have been grand — not only 
to the people helped, but also to the people and the 
church that gave the help. In Wisconsin we have 
many such cases and they are increasing year by 
year as the work extends. The pastor or church 
that is not in loving sympathy and ready to help in 
such work, fails in a very serious manner to meet 
the deep need of these present times. Such cases 
are, we are happy to say, few and far between in Wis- 
consin. During the past fifteen years our hearts have 
been cheered and our hands supported, by the help 
and sympathy so frequently and so generously given. 
IV. Having been commissioned by the Presby- 
terian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School 
Work to this duty as the representative of a Christian 
business man, an elder in our Church, we are con- 
vinced that here is a way in which churches and in- 
dividuals can be represented in the Sabbath-School 
missionary field, so as to be greatly helpful to the 
Board and to the Church. This way of doing 
God's work possesses, in our opinion, peculiar at- 
tractiveness and many advantages, and is a fine ex- 
hibition of stewardship toward God and man. Con- 
sidered in every way, it is commendable and 
worthy of being pressed on the attention of churches 
and individuals. With so many wealthy churches 
and members we should have a large number of 



1 62 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN 

Sabbath-School missionaries thus appointed. In 
this way our Church might have a large standing 
army of noble workers for the Master. 

V. It is obvious that the success of this work 
must depend largely upon the qualifications of the 
men commissioned to do it. Men of rare adapt- 
ability are required. A Sabbath-School missionary 
should be a man of good health, comely in appear- 
ance, and able to endure much hardship incident to 
country travel and living. He should be a true 
Christian, tried and tested by manifold Christian 
labors, especially among children and young people. 
He should have his mind well stored with Bible 
truths, and along with this he should be a well read 
man. He should be earnest in his thinking, clear 
and distinct in his speaking and impressive and win- 
some in his address. He should be possessed of a 
large fund of common sense and have the common 
sense to use it as he goes along. He should be 
courteous and civil to all whom he may meet, and 
be possessed of the cheerful disposition that should 
ever be associated with the Christian gentleman. 
He should be a true Presbyterian, well acquainted 
with the facts and doctrines of our Church, the 
spirit of which, entering his soul, will give an action 
in keeping with the trend of our Church. He 
should be a man of large mind and heart, able to 
love the good work of others and ready to join 
hands in a true spirit of cooperative effort when 
such is possible. He should be a man ready and 



RETROSPECT 163 

willing to live up to all the rules and requirements 
laid down for his guidance, aiming in all such to be 
faithful. He should be a man of humility and 
prayer, ever seeking not to think of himself more 
highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly 
according as God hath dealt to every man the 
measure of faith. These requirements, and many 
others which will suggest themselves, are needed in 
order to make a model Presbyterian Sabbath-School 
missionary. 

We are impressed with the grandeur and im- 
portance of the work of gathering in the little ones 
and others to Jesus through the agency of the Sab- 
bath-School. The work is worth our noblest en- 
deavor as a Church or as individuals. The plant- 
ing of Mission Sabbath-Schools away out in the 
country places has been to such places like the dawn 
of a new Star of Bethlehem, bringing new thoughts, 
awakening new desires, leading to different action, 
and resulting in different conditions. 

" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet 
of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth 
peace ; that bringeth good tidings of good, that pub- 
lisheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God 
reigneth ! 

" Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste 
places of Jerusalem ; for the Lord hath comforted 
his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem." Isa. 
52: 7,9- 

THE END 



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